The Penn-York Section of the American Chemical Society recognized outstanding chemistry students at their recent Awards Night. Students honored at the event at Moon Brook Country Club in Jamestown were (back row, from left) Emily Benjamin, Salamanca; Jenna Johnson, Johnsonburg; Anna Burlingame, Cassadaga Valley; Alexander Pietras, Cattaraugus-Little Valley; Colin German, Portville; (front row) Abbi Olivett, Cameron County; Sarah DiDomenico, Maple Grove; Gabriela Long, Otto-Eldred; Dayne Jantzi, Chautauqua Lake; Bowen Taylor, Oswayo Valley; and June Hilmey, Allegany-Limestone.

The Penn-York Section of the American Chemical Society honored area chemistry students recently at their annual Awards Night at Moon Brook Country Club in Jamestown.

The society consists of more than 230,000 individuals including members, student members, society affiliates and community associates, making it one of the world’s leading sources of authoritative scientific information. A congressionally chartered independent membership organization, it is the world’s largest scientific society for chemists, chemical engineers, and related professions. Penn-York is one of the largest geographical sections of the ACS, covering the western Southern Tier of New York and the adjacent area of Pennsylvania.

High school teachers in the Penn-York region were invited to select their outstanding chemistry students. The teachers, students and their families gathered for the dinner event, where Secretary-Treasurer Charles Brininger, retired professor of chemistry at Jamestown Community College’s Jamestown Campus, welcomed everyone and gave background on the ACS. Penn-York Councilor Donna Brestensky, retired assistant professor of chemistry at St. Bonaventure University, presented the awards. The students recognized and their schools were Emily Benjamin, Salamanca; Anna Burlingame, Cassadaga Valley; Sarah DiDomenico, Maple Grove; Colin German, Portville; June Hilmey, Allegany-Limestone; Dayne Jantzi, Chautauqua Lake; Jenna Johnson, Johnsonburg; Gabriela Long, Otto-Eldred; Abbi Olivett, Cameron County; Alexander Pietras, Cattaraugus-Little Valley; and Bowen Taylor, Oswayo Valley.

After receiving their cash award, each youth shared their career aspirations.

Among the other ACS members participating were Section Chair Helen Schuster, President of HMS Technical Development LLC in Bradford, Pa., and Chair-Elect Alexander Ruppecht, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, St. Bonaventure University.