BR High student honored for advanced placement
Yue Sha, a senior at Baton Rouge Magnet High School, was named one of two Louisiana state winners in the 2011 Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, a signature program of the Siemens Foundation administered by the College Board.
Joshua Kubiak, of Natchitoches, was the male winner.
The awards recognize America’s top achievers in Advanced Placement Program science and mathematics courses. The two winners from each state also earn a $2,000 college scholarship.
Two national winners are also recognized, each receiving a $5,000 scholarship.
This year, 101 high school students in 50 states were recognized.
Shadow health-care workers
East Baton Rouge Parish students can begin applying for summertime participation in the AHEC of a Summer program.
Students will spend 50 hours job shadowing practicing health-care professionals.
The program is offered at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, as a collaboration of Central Louisiana Area Health Education Center, Our Lady of the Lake College and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center.
Ochsner Medical Center of Baton Rouge will also host the program.
Participants will spend five weeks rotating through different departments in local hospitals and medical facilities and attend workshops and field trips on the health-care industry.
Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive one-half high school elective credit.
The application deadline is March 1. Any East Baton Rouge Parish student who is in grades nine through 11, has a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and is interested in pursuing a health career is encouraged to apply. Applications and program information are available at area schools or by visiting http://www.clahec.org or call (225) 757-9845.
Groups explore girls’ health
The YWCA is hosting a focus group discussion on Feb. 27 to gather opinions on issues facing African-American girls and women on topics including overall health, sexual health, relationships and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
The discussions will be held at 5:30 p.m. for ages 15 to 18 and 7 p.m. for ages 18 to 24 at the YWCA Youth and Teens Office, 8281 Goodwood Blvd.
Registration to determine eligibility is required. Call (225) 383-0681.
The YWCA will also host a pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease prevention program called “Sisters Informing, Healing, Living, and Empowering,” funded by the Louisiana Office of Public Health.
The program is provided for girls ages 14-18 every Thursday in March from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., beginning March 8.
Interactive sessions, incentives and food will be provided.
Attendance at all sessions is mandatory for incentive eligibility.
One incentive is a free $20 gift card. Visit http://www.ywca-br.org for information.
Write about favorite teacher
Barnes & Noble is sponsoring its “My Favorite Teacher Contest” for students in grades one through 12.
Submissions can be essays, poems, or thank-you letters of 500 words or less and should share how a teacher has influenced the student’s life and why the student appreciates and admires that teacher.
Visit http://www.barnesandnoble.com for rules and an entry form. Winning teachers and students will be recognized during a ceremony at a local Barnes & Noble store.
Cash awards and eBook readers will be awarded to winners.
Submit youth news to teen@theadvocate.com or fax (225) 388-0351. By submitting photos to The Advocate, you agree that they can be published in any of The Advocate’s print or digital publications.