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| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor CHICOPEE REACH students returned from an international competition conducted last week in Colorado as winners. The Future Problem Solving Program Conference was attended by 2,500 students from the United States, Australia, China, Korea, and Malaysia, among other countries, Dr. Irene Czerwiec, the director of the REACH program in Chicopee, said. The conference was conducted at Colorado State University at Fort Collins from June 1 through 5. It engages students in creative problem solving, according to the conference's web site. Sixteen students from Chicopee participated in the competition: six from Chicopee Comprehensive High School, and four each from Bellamy and Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle Schools. Jenna Lescall, a sixth-grader from Bellamy, placed first for her story in the scenario contest. Amy Lesperance, Allison O'Shea, Chelsea McDonnell, and Brianna Thresher from Bellamy and Jessica Avery, Emily Chute, Amber Legare, and Sana Safeer from Fairview won a second place trophy for their wetland community project. Sarabeth Hedge from Chicopee Comp was judged third place for her community project on seatbelt safety. Czerwiec said that in the past Chicopee REACH students have come away with awards, but that "it doesn't happen often to get awards like this" spread over the various grades. Mayor Michael Bissonnette recognized the group prior to the event and on Tuesday, the Board of Aldermen honored them at their meeting. |