A Ship at Sea is Always in Motion

To say that we have had a busy three days back would be an understatement.  Classes are in full swing including the first of the quizzes done and new projects starting up.  Last night the boys' basketball team had their first game and the Lady Makos face off against Florida Christian this afternoon! 

Last night the Posse Foundation held its first Posse Miami Scholar Awards Ceremony.  Three exceptional young ladies from MAST were recognized and received full scholarships to Mount Holyoke College.  Crystal Reed, Sumiya Tasmin, and Candy Gonzalez were all awarded scholarships and a spot in the Posse Miami Mount Holyoke One.  The awards ceremony was wonderful and very enjoyable.  A big thank you to all the ladies' families who attended in support of them.  The entire MAST family is very proud of our Posse Scholars!  We look forward to hearing about your experiences next December as part of our alumni assembly.

In addition to this excellent news, Dr. Khalil has arranged a major planting event this Saturday, January 9, 2010 with TREEmendous Miami, City Year, and CSX.  Student volunteers are being recruited to help with the event from 8:30am until 12 noon.  Community service hours will be awarded to students who volunteer to participate.  I hope to see many Makos lending a hand as we aim to plant 200 native species shrubs and trees.  Many thanks to Dr. Khalil for leading the way in the greening of MAST.

I'd also like to congratulate Ms. Fernandez and Dr. Khalil for winning grants.  Dr. Khalil won a Target field trip grant to fund trips to Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens.  Ms. Fernandez's grant will be used for expansion of an underwater robotics program.  Many thanks to Dr. Haun, Mr. Tohulka, and Ms. Garcia for all of their work on another grant proposal done in conjunction with FIU.  Unfortunately, despite all of their amazing work, MAST will not be the recepient of the funding.  Again, thank you to all of you for your efforts that go well above and beyond.  You are a credit to our school.

Finally, please remember that midterm exams are right around the corner, January 15 through 21, 2010.  Make sure you are preparing now.  Do not procrastinate!  Serious exams require serious preparation!  I will publish the schedule later in the week or earlier next week.

Until the next, fair winds and calm seas!