Scholarship Awarded to Senior Daniela Ganelin

In early April, the Magnet Foundation awarded the Blair Leaders in Science Scholarship to Daniela Ganelin '14, who will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall. The scholarship, funded by a generous donation from a family in the Magnet community, will provide $5,000/year for up to four years as Daniela continues her education at MIT.

The Blair Leaders in Science Scholarship was established this spring with a donation from a Magnet family. The donors contacted Magnet Coordinator Peter Ostrander at the beginning of the school year with an interest in funding a scholarship to help Magnet students attend their dream college. Representatives from the Magnet Foundation met with the donors in the fall and worked together over several months to establish criteria for the scholarship fund. They decided to target the scholarship to students who demonstrate strong leadership potential in the fields of mathematics, science and engineering with consideration for financial need. The scholarship was named the Blair Leaders in Science Scholarship, and the criteria for the winner were to:

• Be a current senior in the Montgomery Blair High School Mathematics, Science and Computer Science Magnet Program;

• Demonstrate a healthy and balanced ambition to make a difference;

• Have confidence in his/her own potential;

• Value integrity;

• Maintain academic interests in science related disciplines (Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science);

• Be focused towards making a difference using his/her academic talents;

• Plan to pursue a career in a mathematical, scientific or technical field.

In March, Mr. Ostrander announced the scholarship to the graduating seniors and circulated an application form by e-mail. Applicants were asked to list their academic achievements and write several short essays. A committee of teachers read the applications, and with the consent of the donors and the Magnet Foundation Board, the scholarship was awarded to Daniela.

When contacted by the Foundation, Daniela said: "Thanks so much to the sponsors of the scholarship, and to the Magnet in general. I've had a great time here, and I'm so grateful for all my wonderful teachers and classmates."