President Obama, Department of Education Announce Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge Finalists
The White House and the Department of Education announced today the six high schools selected as finalists for the first annual Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge. The Commencement Challenge, launched in late February, invited the nation’s public high schools to submit applications showing their dedication to providing students with an excellent education that will prepare them to graduate ready for college and career choices. Applications were judged based on the schools performance, four essay questions and supplemental data. The six finalists were selected for their dedication to academic excellence and for showing how they are helping prepare students to graduate college and career ready, and prepared to meet the President’s goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020.

MAST Academy Graduate Leah Nation Joins Highly Selective Leadership Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(Cambridge, MA)—Leah Nation, a 2007 graduate of MAST Academy and a Materials Science and Engineering major at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was recently selected to join the Bernard M. Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership Program’s Class of 2011. The program is a new educational initiative at MIT that combines leadership development with the rigor of the MIT educational experience.

MAST Students Earn Local and National Honors
MAST Academy senior Elizabeth Kourtesis has been selected as one of The Orange Bowl Foundation’s Field of Dreams 2008 Scholar Athletes. Ms. Kourtesis, who was recognized along with other award winners at the Broward County Convention Center, will be presented with a $2,500 scholarship on May 19th at an award ceremony in Miami-Dade County. Elizabeth Kourtesis has also received a 2008 Sport Society Award for excellence in academics and athletics.

MAST Senior Receives National Honors
MAST Academy senior Max O’Kane has been honored for exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award. The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of time to serve their communities and country, was presented by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program on behalf of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. Nearly 250,000 students have been considered for this prestigious award since the program began in 1995. MAST principal Thomas C. Fisher II lauded Max’s extraordinary effort at Shake-A-Leg Miami: “Max O’Kane, who also did an internship at Shake-A-Leg last summer, believes strongly in the work of this terrific organization. I regard his commitment to and service on behalf of Shake-A-Leg as a model for students and adults alike.” Max will be honored at MAST Academy’s annual awards ceremony on May 20th.

[MAST] Students To Compete At Harbor Branch in National Science Ocean Bowl (from NOSB)

MAST Students Earn Prestigious National Finalist
Four MAST Academy seniors have been recognized for excellent academics and test scores by the National Merit Corporation.

MAST Academy's First Annual Math, Science and Engineering “Family Day”
MAST Academy (Maritime and Science Technology High School), a Miami-Dade County public magnet school, will host its first annual Math, Science and Engineering “Family Day” on Saturday, January 26 from 9 am – 12 noon at the school’s campus, 3979 Rickenbacker Causeway in Miami.

MAST Academy Student Scientists, Engineers, and Mathematicians Receive Recognition.
During the week of January 7th, 2008, students from MAST Academy participated in the Regional Science and Engineering Fair. In the category of Scientific Research, the following students received Awards of Excellence: Carla Aronshon, Kayla Acosta, Heidi Lazcano, Corin Liantaud, Joaquim Ardisson, Selina Masucci, Willie Avendano, and Evelyn Aguilar.

MAST Student Earns Receives District Award in Math and Science.
In recognition of his achievement is mathematics and science, MAST Academy senior Gaurav Sen has been named 2008 District Scholar in the Sunshine State Scholars Program. He will now compete in January 2008 with other Scholars for the distinction of Regional Scholar. The Regional competition will consist of an examination that includes problems in mathematics, statistics, physics, biology, and chemistry. The Regional winner will participate in the State competition in Tallahassee, March 9-11, 2008.

MAST Senior Wins National Writing Award.
MAST Academy senior Amanda Labora has won the First Place Award in the Family Travel Forum’s (FTF) 2007 Essay Contest. Amanda’s essay focuses on her recent six-week stay in Turkey, a trip made possible by the Experiment in International Living Program. Through her homestay with a Turkish family and opportunities for experiential learning, Amanda was introduced to Turkey in a way that most visitors from the West are not. The family with whom Amanda lived for the duration of her stay made it possible for her to participate in a range of routine activities. Those activities and Amanda’s reaction to them constitute the content of her article. The essay appears as an article on the FTF website.

MAST Students to Participate in Release of Rehabilitated Manatee.
In honor of Manatee Awareness Month Miami Seaquarium will be releasing manatee America with the help of students from MAST Academy on Wednesday, November 14, 2007.

MAST Academy Receives National Honors.
MAST Academy’s student newspaper, The Beacon, has received the 2007 Gold Medal Award from The Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The Beacon received a remarkable 954 out of a possible 1000 points, earning All-Columbian Honors in the categories of Coverage, Graphic Presentation, and Business Operations. The paper’s advisor is journalism teacher Karen Sutton.

Inquiry and Scholarship at MAST Academy.
MAST Academy mathematics teacher Dana Yancoskie published an article in the November 2007 issue of Mathematics Teacher, a publication of The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Ms. Yancoskie’s work, which appears in a section of the journal called Mathematical Lens, examines the geometric attributes—percentage of redness, stem angles, and bract ratios--of the Heliconia plant. Her springboard for the article is a photograph of a Heliconia plant taken at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. MAST principal Thomas C. Fisher II has selected National Honor Society (NHS) co-presidents Gaurav Sen and Stephanie Villagra to represent the school in the NHS 2007-2008 scholarship competition sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Mr. Sen and Ms. Villagra were selected on the basis of their leadership skills, school and community service, and academic achievement. The National Honor Society is the nation’s premiere academic and service organization at the secondary level.

MAST Academy’s New Mobile Meteorological Lab.
MAST Academy’s new mobile meteorological lab Weather on Wheels (WOW) arrived in October and is already making visits to middle schools throughout the Miami-Dade County. The new WOW replaced the original mobile lab that began operating in 1994. Weather on Wheels travels to elementary and middle schools to engage thousands of students in hands-on science and technology lessons.

New school record: 56 MAST students named AP Scholars, Scholars with Honors, Scholars with Distinction or National Scholars by the College Board.
The Advanced Placement (AP) Program of the College Board has named fifty-six (56) MAST Academy students AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Distinction, AP Scholars with Honor or AP National Scholars for their exceptional achievement on the college-level
Advanced Placement Program (AP) Exams.

MAST to host annual Admissions Open House
MAST Academy will host its annual Admissions Open House on Saturday, October 20th, from 9:00 AM to Noon. Students planning to apply to MAST for the 2008-2009 school year are urged to attend this major recruitment event. The activity will feature an auditorium program, application preparation, discussion, curriculum overview, school tours, opportunities to meet with staff, students, and parents, as well as question and answer sessions in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. MAST is located at 3979 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, 33149. Call Margaret Haun or Lourdes Marquez-Diaz at 305-365-6278 for information or email margarethaun@dadeschools.net.

Nature Center Earth Day Activities
MAST Academy solar energy students participated in Earth Day activities at the Nature Center on Key Biscayne, Sunday, April 22, 2007, by explaining and demonstrating solar technology.

MAST Academy Scholarship Gala
On Saturday, March 24th, from 6:30 to 10:30 PM, MAST Academy’s PTSA will host a Friends of MAST Academy Scholarship Benefit at the Miami Rowing Club (adjacent to MAST). The Rowing Club is located at 3601 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, 33149.

MAST Students Receive National Recognition
Sixty-two MAST Academy students have been recognized by the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board as AP Scholars, Scholars with Honors, Scholars with Distinction, or National Scholars.

MAST Academy Open House for Student Recruitment
MAST Academy will hold its annual Open House for Student Recruitment on Saturday, October 14th, from 9:00 AM to Noon. Students planning to apply to MAST for the 2007-2008 school year are urged to attend this major recruitment event. The activity will feature an auditorium program, application preparation discussion, curriculum overview, opportunities to meet with staff, students, and parents, as well as question and answer sessions in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.

MAST Academy Mathematics Teacher Publishes on US Flag
MAST Academy mathematics teacher DANA YANCOSKIE published an article in the MAY 2006 issue of Mathematics Teacher. In a section of the journal called “Mathematical Lens”—which uses photographs as a spur to mathematical inquiry—Ms. Yancoskie offers a recent photo of the US flag affixed to the front of the AmericanAirlines Arena and posits several questions, ranging from the hoist, fly, perimeter, and area of the flag to questions in probability. Her solutions are included in the piece as well. Ms. Yancoskie has National Board certification.

MAST Teacher Wins National Honor
The Siemens Foundation and the College Board announced the selection of MAST Academy science teacher Mark Tohulka as the State of Florida recipient of the 2005-06 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement in Mathematics and Science. Mr. Tohulka is one of 50 teachers nationally to win the award this year. Awards are presented to one teacher in each state.

Third Annual MAST Academy College Fair
The MAST Academy will host its Third Annual College Fair on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at 7:00 PM. Colleges and universities from across the United States will be represented at this spring pre-collegiate event. In addition to opportunities to speak with college representatives, students and parents may also elect to attend a range of informative sessions: financial aid, NCAA regulations, college planning, college admissions tests, and Florida Bright Futures. South Florida high school students and their parents are urged to attend this event. For additional information, call John Dubey at 305-365-6278, ext. 2295, or write him at mastcollegefairs@gmail.com. MAST Academy is located at 3979 Rickenbacker Causeway, Virginia Key.

MAST Student Presents at American Junior Academy of Science Conference
MAST Academy senior Alex Robel presented a paper titled El Nino/Southern Oscillation Dampening of Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Activity via Thermal Wind at the American Junior Academy of Science Conference in St. Louis on February 16, 2006. Alex attended the conference with MAST science department chair Dr. Julie Hood. Alex is also a 2006 Siemens Science Semifinalist.

MAST Academy Students Receive National Merit Nod
Seniors Daniela Iribarne, Mauricio Lanio, Charlotte McGraw, Alexander Robel, Allison Shaw, and Freddy Vazquez have met all of the requirements of the National Merit Scholarship Program and have advanced to Finalist status. Across the nation, there are approximately 15,000 Finalists. From this group, over 8,000 Merit Scholarship winners will be announced from April-July 2006.

MAST Student Named District Science Scholar
MAST Academy senior Daniel R. Sanchez has been selected as a District Scholar in the 2006 Sunshine Scholars Program. This honor recognizes Daniel’s accomplishments in both mathematics and science throughout his high school career. As a District Scholar, he will compete in January 2006 with other Scholars in South Florida to become one of six Regional Scholars who will then enter the State competition in Tallahassee, March 12-14, 2006.

MAST Academy Commences Historic Shark Research Project in Biscayne National Park
On Wednesday, November 30th, at 8:30 am, twenty-four MAST Academy students will board the Biscayne National Park boat Boca Chita to join University of Miami (UM) researchers in a day of shark tagging and research. The high school students will observe sharks in the field, collect environmental data, and help identify the sharks observed while UM students measure and tag the animals.

MAST Graduate Named Regimental Commander at the United States Coast Guard Academy
Kristen Nicholson, a 2002 graduate of the MAST Academy, has been selected as the Regimental Commander at the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA). Charged with leading the 950 cadets at the Academy, Ms. Nicholson will be the first female Regimental Commander in seven years. The Coast Guard Academy's cadet structure and leadership training philosophy of "cadets leading cadets" is the model for the MAST Academy's Coast Guard JROTC program, the only such program in the nation by an Act of Congress.

MAST Academy Students Soar
MAST Academy has a record number of 2005 Advanced Placement Scholars, Scholars with Honors, Scholars with Distinction, and National Scholars. In total. forty-one students have earned the distinction of being named Advanced Placement Scholars. Ten students are AP Scholars with Honors; eighteen students are AP Scholars with Distinction. Four earned National Scholar status.

MAST Academy Student Attends Summer Leaders Seminar at West Point
Arielle Maffei, a senior at MAST Academy, was one of 800 high school students invited to participate in the 2005 Summer Leaders Seminar (SLS) held at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Attendees were invited to the workshop based on a competitive basis using the academic, athletic and extracurricular information provided in their applications to the Summer Seminar .

MAST Academy named one of Newsweek's Top 1,000 U.S. Schools

MAST Academy PTSA Fishing Tournament Winners
The 30 anglers and 14 boats that braved heavy wind and rain to participate in the MAST Academy PTSA’s second annual Fishing Tournament hauled in 112 fish on Saturday, April 2. Proceeds from the fishing tournament go to MAST Marine Expeditions, a new program in which students will board vessels to perform marine research and learn to navigate and manage a boat.

MAST Academy Achievers Making Waves
Led by MAST Academy science teacher Mark Tohulka, National Ocean Science Bowl (NOSB) team members John Kelley, Vanessa Palacio, Rachel Peterson, Jordan Preve, and Kyle Schmitt won FIRST PLACE at the Regional NOSB competition on February 12, 2005. Taking 3rd place was MAST Academy, NOSB Team II: Nath Ngamsiri, Osvaldo Meireles, Daniel Sanchez, Lauren Peterson, and Kimberly Farmer. Team coach was Ellen Peterson. The National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP) has awarded Finalist status to MAST academy seniors Alexandra Marraccini, Rachel Peterson, and Jordan Preve. The National Achievement Scholarship Program has named seniors Secretse Sinclair and Andrew Strozier 2005 Semifinalists. Eight students earned SUPERIOR ratings and four earned the rating of EXCELLENT at the 51st Annual South Florida Science and Engineering Fair on Saturday, February 12, 2005.

MAST in the News
The MAST Academy Chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) has launched its annual “Operation New Smile” toy drive. MAST Academy’s Student Services Department hosted a Safe Schools conference on Wednesday, January 26, 2005. Head Custodian Kenneth McDonald has been named a Miami-Dade County Public Schools District Finalist in the AFSCME Employee of the Year competition.

MAST Academy Students Recognized by District PTA
Five MAST Academy students were recognized at the Dade County PTA
Reflections Program on January 20, 2005. Junior Khalid Dubey is a County Finalist in the categories of Musical Composition and Literature. County Honorable Mentions are Alexandra Marraccini in Literature and Jason Golzbein, Martina Fallesen, and Jason Lewis in Visual Arts. Khalid Dubey’s entries will now be submitted for judging in the State of Florida PTA Reflections program.

MAST Academy Students Earning AP Scholar Distinction Reaches Record High
Fifty MAST Academy students have been named 2004 Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program Exams. Only seventeen percent of the more than one million high school students in 15,000 secondary schools worldwide who took AP exams performed at a sufficiently high level to merit the recognition of AP Scholar.

MAST Academy Coast Guard JROTC to Host NASCAR Driver
NASCAR driver Justin Labonte (2004 NASCAR Busch Series US Coast Guard Racing—The Next Wave) will be at the MAST Academy on Wednesday, November 17, 2004, from 12:20-3:15 PM, to discuss teamwork, leadership, focus, and commitment with the school’s 160 Coast Guard JROTC cadets.

Eleven MAST Seniors Named Hispanic Scholars  
The following MAST Academy seniors have been named 2004-2005 Scholars by the National Hispanic Recognition Program(NHRP): Patton Allison, David Amor, Gabriel DeMarco, Ted Fernandez, Gabriela Garcia, Janina Insua, Andrew Moore, David Moore,Vanessa Palacio, Daniel Perez, and Amanda Triana. These students will now be identified as students of exceptional promise in press packets sent to colleges and universities across the nation.

MAST Seniors Named Hispanic Scholars
Eight MAST Academy seniors have been named Scholars by the 2003-2004 National Hispanic Recognition Program: Amaury Betancourt, Alejandro Cervera, Sebastian Duncan, Nicole Joy, Dayan Paez, Rurik Primiani, Monica Simo, and Kaya Suarez. Students enter the program when they take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) as high school juniors. The distinction of being named a Scholar is bestowed on a select group of the highest scoring students in their senior year. The College Board will now notify colleges and universities across the country of the accomplishments of these students.

MAST Student Newspaper Receives National Recognition
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association has awarded The Beacon, MAST Academy’s student newspaper, a 2004 Gold Medal.
The paper received near perfect scores in the categories of Coverage, Writing and Editing, and Graphic Presentation. The category of Business Operations received the maximum number of points possible. Co-editors of The Beacon for the 2004-2005 school year are Adam Garfield and Marisa Bello. Co-editors for 2003-2004 were Sebastian Duncan and Melissa Jacobs. The paper’s sponsor is journalism teacher Karen Sutton.

MAST Academy Open House for Student Recruitment
MAST Academy will hold its annual Open House for Student Recruitment on Saturday, November 20th, from 9:00 AM to Noon. Students planning to apply to MAST for the 2005-2006 school year are urged to attend this major recruitment event. The activity will feature an auditorium program, application preparation discussion, curriculum overview, opportunities to meet with staff, students, and parents, as well as question and answer sessions in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. MAST is located at 3979 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, 33149. Call Margaret Haun or Lisa Fischer at 305-365-6278 for information.

MAST Students Place in State PTSA Competition
Three MAST Academy students received Distinguished Awards at the State of Florida Reflections Program, sponsored by the State PTSA and the Florida Congress of Parents and Teachers. Junior Jason Lewis placed in the category of Visual Arts. Sophomores Khalid Dubey and Benjamin Velez placed in the categories of Musical Composition and Visual Arts, respectively. The Florida PTSA will display the work of these students at the Legislative Conference in Tallahassee, the PTSA Leadership Conference at Innisbrook in July, the PTSA State Convention in November, and the Arts for a Complete Education Summer Leadership Summit in Sarasota.

MAST Academy's Ocean Science Bowl Team Places in Top Tier
MAST Academy's Regional Champion National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) team finished 6th at the National Championships in Charleston, SC on April 24th. The team of three seniors --Zachary Sherman, Chris Rokicki, Adlai Grayson-- and two juniors --John Kelley and Vanesa Palacio-- went undefeated in the round robin preliminaries to make the finals. They were the only undefeated team in the competition after the round robin matches but suffered two losses in the finals to finish in sixth place. They won a $500 gift certificate to Fisher Scientific and a shelf of Oceanography books for the school. This performance amounts to the best finish ever for MAST Academy's NOSB team and for their sponsor, Mark Tohulka.

MAST Hosts Dade Partner/Mentor Breakfast
MAST Academy, the Maritime and Science Technology magnet school located at 3979 Rickenbacker Causeway, recently held its 12th annual Dade Partners/Mentor Breakfast (Thursday, April 15). The event, catered by MAST's culinary arts department, drew over 50 community and business leaders, as well as school administrators, key faculty and members of the PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association) to discuss ways in which the groups can work together to enhance specific educational programs at MAST Academy.

MAST Students and Teacher Earn Local and National Honors
Seven MAST Academy students earned special recognition at the March 13, 2004 Dade County Science Awards Program.

MAST Academy Student Named Hispanic Scholar
MAST Academy senior Rurik Primiani has been named a 2004 Scholar by the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program. Established in 1983, the National Hispanic Recognition Program provides national recognition of the exceptional academic achievements of Hispanic high school seniors and identifies them for post secondary institutions. From 124, 000 students nationwide, approximately 4,300 students were initially identified. Based on further evidence of academic achievement, a select group of 3,300 students have been recognized as Scholars.

School Winner of Mathematics Competition Announced
MAST Academy senior Alejandro Cervera has been named School Winner of the 2003-2004 David Essner Mathematics Competition. Alejandro will go on to compete in the Finals at the University of Miami on January 31, 2004. The coordinator of the competition at the University of Miami is Emeritus Professor Paul McDougle

MAST Academy Identified by the National Association of Secondary School Principals
as Potential BREAKTHROUGH SCHOOL
The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has invited the MAST Academy to submit information about its total program as part of an effort to determine whether the school meets the criteria for the prestigious Breakthrough School distinction. Sponsored by NASSP, Breakthrough High Schools identifies high achieving, urban high school programs that hold the potential to become national models of educational success.

MAST Student Wins Writing Award
MAST Academy student Melody Charles has been named a winner in The Miami Herald’s Newspaper in Education “Give Thanks” essay contest. Chosen from over 250 entries, Melody’s essay is now posted online at NIEonline.com/Miami.

MAST Seniors Named Hispanic Scholars
Eight MAST Academy seniors have been named Scholars by the 2003-2004 National Hispanic Recognition Program: Amaury Betancourt, Alejandro Cervera, Sebastian Duncan, Nicole Joy, Dayan Paez, Rurik Primiani, Monica Simo, and Kaya Suarez. Students enter the program when they take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) as high school juniors.

Another MAST Academy Student Publication Wins Recognition from Columbia Scholastic Press
MAST Academy's 2003 yearbook has been named a Silver Medalist by the Columbia University Scholastic Press Association (CSPA).

MAST Senior Wins Physics Competition
MAST Academy senior Dayan Paez has been named First Place Winner in the University of Miami's 2003 Physics Competition. Physics Department Chair Professor George C. Alexandrakis recognized Dayan for demonstrating a "superior level" of science scholarship.

MAST Students Commended by National Merit and Achievement Scholarship Programs
MAST Academy senior Nicole K. Brenner has been commended by the 2004 National Achievement Scholarship Program (NASP). Seniors Michelle Lotker and Kaya Suarez have been named Commended Students by the 2004 National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP).

MAST Academy Student Newspaper Wins Gold from Columbia University
The Beacon, MAST Academy's award-winning student newspaper, has earned 2003 Gold Medalist status from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA).

Three MAST Academy Seniors have been named National Merit Semifinalists
MAST Academy seniors Alejandro Cervera, Dayan Paez, and Monica Simo have been named Semifinalists in the 2004 Merit Scholarship Competition. The honor recognizes strong performance on the most recent administration of the PSAT. All three students will go on to compete for National Merit Finalist standing.

Student is National Finalist in the 2003 Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge
MAST ninth grader Bryan Yancey is one of Florida's five National Finalists in the 2003 Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge. Bryan's award-winning research project is entitled The Effectiveness of Caffeine as a Pesticide Against South Florida Snails (bulimulus guadalupensis).

MAST Senior Makes FHSAA All-State Team  
MAST Academy senior Janelle Braverman has been named to the 2003 Florida High School Activities Association (FHSAA) All-State Team. This distinction recognizes Janelle’s accomplishment in swimming, soccer and water polo, as well as her extraordinary academic record.

MAST Academy Student Earns Piano Honors
MAST Academy ninth grader Khalid Dubey recently performed in the annual Miami-Dade County Youth Fair Piano Competition, and for the second consecutive year was awarded a First Place with Special Plaque and a perfect score. He also competed in the Florida Federation Piano Competition, earning a Superior rating at the Very Difficult II level and an invitation to the State competition in Jacksonville.

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