Franklin senior Chen Sheng recently won $1,000 in WCBM Women Talk Live’s 2009 “Girls Gone Great” contest.

The essay recognizes local girls who are “going great” and serving their communities. Chen, active in several Franklin clubs and organizations including the National and National Art Honor Societies, and the student government association, also volunteers for several causes throughout the year. When she’s not helping out at Franklin events, Chen can be found volunteering at the Mora Crossman Recreation Center, assisting in the National Honor Society’s work with “Adopt A Family”, working at the Timber Grove Elementary Spring Festival, and many other places in the Reisterstown community. She was honored at a luncheon this past summer where she received her monetary award and other gifts. Chen plans to use the money to help offset some expenses at one of the schools to which she’s applied, including Johns Hopkins, UC Berkeley, and the University of Pennsylvania. She plans to major in pre-med. That’s a field that seems well-suited for someone who spends time serving others. “Helping out makes me feel like I’m making a difference in the world,” she said.(Shannon Stern also contributed to this article)

STUDENT TEAM FROM FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL WINS STOCK MARKET GAME™ COMPETITION

Reisterstown , MD -- A combination of shrewd investing and a little bit of luck helped Brandon Bay, Michael Caplan, Victoria Sapin, and Jacob Boos earn a simulated $125,493 and a second place finish in the Spring session of Maryland/DC Stock Market Game™ competition, organized by the Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE). The students' teacher, Megan Brooks, taught the students the key to success for investing in the stock market. Read more . . . Courtesy of the MCEE

FHS IS HOME TO MEMBER OF ROBOTICS TEAM

Ethan Steininger, a junior at Franklin High School, was part of a winning robotics team that qualified for the robotics World Competition in Atlanta, Georgia. Because Franklin does not sponsor a team, Steininger teamed up with students at Owings Mills High School. Their team, Project Mayhem, was part of a winning alliance in the All-Baltimore County VEX Tournament, which qualified them to move on to the next level of competition, the VEX Championship in Dallas, Texas.

It was the first time Steininger had worked with a robotics team. “I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “We are all partners and help each other, even competitors. It’s a great learning environment.”

The robots are assembled from kit parts, and strategy and design are integral to a successful outcome. The teams are given six weeks to design, build and test their robots. Robotics competition is unique in that other teams from competing schools often help each other by testing robots, and providing expertise and even shop space.

Steininger’s team ended up winning the All Star Rookie Award and Rookie High Seed Award at the Dallas competition, qualifying for the World competition.

The successful experience with his first robotics team has kept Steininger eager for the future with the team. “I had great support from my team members [and they] helped me do it!” he said.

SCIENCE FAIR ACHIEVEMENTS!

Franklin High School tenth grader Mikhail Slutskiy was awarded the U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize Regional certificate in excellence for his water-related science project at the 54 th annual Baltimore Science Fair on March 21 and 22.

Students from public and private schools from around the state competed in two divisions. Franklin sophomores Alex Clements and Ed Hans represented the school at the fair after earning first, second and third places in Franklin’s Science Fair held in February.

Students used the scientific method in order to design projects involving either the biological or physical sciences. Slutskiy’s project, “The Filtration of Oils: Rubber vs. Sand” stemmed from his work in his GT Chemistry class. His win at the Baltimore Science Fair has earned him a place in the state competition.

The regional fair was sponsored by the Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics, the Towson-Timonium Kiwanis Club and other community clubs and organizations.

WORLD LANGUAGE POETRY FEST 2009  

This year's winners are:

French I- Rachel Axman
Spanish I- Ioana Socaciu
Spanish II- Emma Nwairo 
Spanish III- Ben Udell 
Spanish IV- Lucy Walker 
Spanish V- Daniel Victor
Heritage Speaker- Max Sarabia

JROTC DRILL TEAM CONTINUES REIGN!

Congratulations to the JROTC Drill Team.  For the 3rd year in a row and the 7th year out of 9, the FHS team are the Baltimore County Drill Team Champions. 

FHS ARTIST HONORED FOR HER PHOTOGRAPHY

Senior Jacqueline Wheeler received an Honorable Mention award from the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts' youngARTS program. Recognition in youngARTS represents a distinguished achievement for young people from Maryland and their teachers. Jacqueline also received a Gold Key Award from the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. She has a place in the top 800 Nationwide and is now competing in the national finals.

FHS JAZZ BAND PLACES 3RD AT FESTIVAL

The FHS Jazz Band placed 3rd overall in the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Jazz Festival. Andrew Freed (bass) was honored with the 2nd place outstanding soloist award for his work on Charles Mingus's "Haitian Fight Song". Congratulations, Andrew!

FRANKLIN'S MUSICIANS PLAY WITH BSO

Two of Franklin’s finest have been selected to participate in the Side By Side with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra program for this year. This is a very competitive audition process – they must first be selected to the BCPS Honors Ensembles, then complete a second audition. If you see either of these gentlemen in the halls, please offer them your congratulations.

Greg Sweeney on Percussion

Chris Watson on String Bass

PARAMEDICAL BIOLOGY STUDENTS LEARN LIFE SAVING SKILLS

CONGRATULATIONS TO TRACK ATHLETES

Cameron McDearmon placed 1^st  in the shot put at the 3A State Track Meet.

Curtis (Davin) Jones placed 3^rd in the 55 meter dash.

STUDENTS NAMED TO ALL-COUNTY JAZZ ENSEMBLE

On Saturday January 10th, four of our Franklin High School jazz musicians auditioned for the Baltimore County Public Schools All-County Honors Jazz Ensemble. Two of our students were accepted into the group. Adam Corson was selected as first chair tenor saxophone and Greg Sweeney was selected on Vibraphone. Congratulations to Adam and Greg! The All-County Honor Jazz Concert will take place on Saturday, February 7th at the Walters Art Gallery. For more information regarding this concert please email Mr. Brown.

FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR MELISSA COHEN WAS CHOSEN AS A MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY STUDENT PAGE FOR THE 2009 SESSION

Cohen is one of seventeen students from public, private and parochial schools around Baltimore County selected for the student page program.  Students must meet certain criteria in order to be considered, including an average- to above-average scholastic record and a proven interest in history and government. Cohen will begin her service in January in Annapolis, and will work for two one-week sessions.  The General Assembly pages are tasked with various duties for the legislature, including keeping members’ bills books up to date, answering phones, assisting visitors, and running errands.  They are also provided the opportunity to sit in on committee meetings.  The experience should enhance Cohen’s passion for politics.  “I am so excited for this...[it] will allow me to experience a subject that I have come to love in the classroom, in a real-life setting,” she said.  Cohen would like to attend law school and pursue a career in juvenile justice.