TheBayNet.com

These are just a few of the stories I wrote while working at TheBayNet.com during Summer 2015.

High school freshman excels in STEM academics

Originally posted here.

Lusby, MD - With all of his accomplishments, it is hard to believe that Dezmon Estep is only a freshman in high school.

The Patuxent High School student has already won several awards for his science fair projects, has obtained an internship with Robiotech and has been nominated to attend the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders.

Estep says his interest in science and technology stemmed from robotics experiments that he did in seventh grade with his teacher Mr. Klapper.

“I started to get genuinely interested,” said Estep. “Then, he introduced me to science fair and helped me a lot with my project. I think my accomplishments in science fair are my biggest because it was so hard for me. I had not done anything like that before.”

Estep’s project “Shape Matters to Windmill Blades” in the Calvert County Science and Engineering Fair was selected as the Johns Hopkins University Engineering Alumni’s honorable mention. Estep’s inspiration for the project came from his interest in the shape of helicopter blades, so he transferred that idea onto windmill blades.

Estep’s most recent science fair project “Correcting the Automobile” was inspired by Estep’s drive to improve his skill set.

“The one robotics experiment that I could never really get down was car sensory and how to have the car go around the classroom and correct itself,” Estep said. “So I adopted the idea, changed a few of the variables and started tinkering with it, trying to make it work.”

That tinkering led Estep to winning the Unmanned Systems Chief Engineer Award and another honorable mention from the Johns Hopkins University Engineering Alumni.

The project was made possible by Brian Jordan, President of Robiotech Corporation. Jordan gave Estep the first ever Robiotech Science Grant for his science fair project because he was so impressed with Estep’s talent and success.

The interest in his talents also led to Jordan offering Estep a summer internship at Robiotech.

“The internship is about robotics and bioengineering. It’s basically using robotics to fix biological problems, like if someone loses a hand,” Estep said.

Estep’s success has also earned him a nomination to attend the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Boston, Massachusetts from June 19 through July 1.

“I’ll get to meet some of the brightest minds and see what type of science is currently out there,” Estep said.

He is also interested in improving his skills and gaining more knowledge in his field.

“One of the questions I’ll probably ask when I get there is how to do algorithms successfully,” said Estep. “Ever since I did my second science fair project, algorithms are the thing that has been mentioned a lot that I need to improve on.”

Even though Estep is very talented in the science and technology sector of academics, it is not his only interest.

He is a percussionist in Patuxent High School’s marching band and hopes to become a successful drummer one day. He and his band even won the school’s annual talent show this February.

“I was really inspired by my dad,” Estep said. “He is also a drummer. My entire family is full of musicians.”

Estep is also involved in Place at the Table, a program that allows him to mentor a young student at Appeal Elementary School. Estep is passionate about his experience there and is one of only three freshmen involved in the program.

Even with all of his time being spent working on science projects or mentoring students, Estep says he wants to act in the fall theatre show next year and is considering trying out for the basketball team.

“I just like to do a lot of stuff. I will try almost any activity,” Estep said.

Looking toward the future, Estep says he wants to go to college but isn’t quite sure where he wants to go. He does know that he wants to study mechatronics, so that he can pursue his interest in robotics and mechanical engineering.

He also wants to pursue his dream of becoming a successful drummer.

“I want to become a great drummer like my dad,” Estep said. “I also want to create something that’s really going to help people.”

Estep would like to thank his mother Sandy Estep, his middle school science teacher Matthew Klapper, his English teacher Eric Heisler, his current science teacher Ann Marie Hartsig and the science fair coordinator Paul Gray for their help in his successes.

Local woman becomes Price is Right champion

Originally posted here.

Brandywine, MD - It is many people’s dream to hear the announcer of “The Price is Right” yell their names and tell them to “come on down!” Eva McQueen-Gates was able to live that dream on the episode of the game show that aired on Monday, June 13.

McQueen-Gates traveled to Los Angeles, CA March 29 with a group of her friends and family to watch a taping of the popular game show “The Price is Right.” She had no idea, however, that she was not only going to be a contestant on the show, but the new champion. 

“I kept saying that if I was chosen, I was going to faint,” said McQueen-Gates. “I don’t think I even heard my name, one of my friends had to tell me.”

McQueen-Gates, a South Carolina native and retired member of the United States Air Force and the postal service, said she has been a fan of The Price is Right since Bob Barker hosted the show. When the annual trip she takes with her sisters was planned for Las Vegas, they decided to get tickets to a taping of the game show and drive to Los Angeles.

“When some of my friends heard we were going, they wanted to come along,” said McQueen-Gates. “We all had t-shirts that said, ‘Carolina Girl’ on them. We were all just having a good time, making everybody laugh. They must have taken notice.”

McQueen-Gates won the second round of Contestant’s Row by placing a $1 bid on a set of tablets, allowing her to play for a car in the game Switcheroo. The game did not go so well, and McQueen-Gates was only able to win a can opener.

“I was so excited that I didn’t think the process through,” said McQueen-Gates. “Being up there is kind of scary and being on TV made me a little nervous. I remember thinking, ‘At least I won something.’”

McQueen-Gates made a comeback when she spun the wheel, beating the other contestants with a spin of .75 and earning her a place in the showcase.

McQueen-Gates’ showcase consisted of an iPhone inlaid with gold and Swarovski crystals, a motorcycle and a sailboat. Making a bid on the items, however, is not as easy as it looks on TV.

“When you’re trying to make a bid and looking at the audience, it’s really hard,” said McQueen-Gates. “I didn’t really add the figures of the prizes in my head. When I was looking at my friends and family, I didn’t really hear any particular numbers and then I heard a number and it stuck.”

McQueen-Gates bid $22,501 on her showcase and was $3,864 away from the actual retail value. Her opponent was $12,821 from her own, however, making McQueen-Gates the winner.

McQueen-Gates said she and her husband are still discussing what to do with the prizes. She says she may give the tablets to her nephews and the iPhone to her niece because she can’t see herself walking around with a $3,000 phone. She is most excited for the motorcycle because she has always wanted to learn how to ride one.

“I know I’m up there in age but I see people in the older generation riding so I’m eager to learn,” said McQueen-Gates.

She said the hardest part of the experience was keeping quiet about her winnings to her friends that hadn’t been there that day. She was not supposed to talk about her experience until her show aired.

“After I filled out all the paperwork, I ran out to my group and said, ‘I hope you all didn’t tell anyone,’” McQueen-Gates said. “They had to call back everyone they had told and tell them not to say anything.”

McQueen-Gates says the experience was so much fun and that she had a good time through the whole process.

“I’m just so happy,” said McQueen-Gates. “I’ve had the biggest smile on my face since the show and still do now.”

 Local elementary school honored with award

Originally posted here.

Mechanicsville, MD - Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot presented Oakville Elementary School with the 2016 Silver Hammer Award Tuesday, May 24 for its outstanding facility maintenance and dedication to improving its campus.

Oakville Elementary School earned a 93 percent rating on the most recent state inspection. The inspection judged the school on 37 different engineering criteria, including the building’s structural conditions, windows, doors and walkways. The school was praised for its high level of sanitation and the appearance of the school’s interior and exterior.

“You would never know that [Oakville] is a 50-year-old building when you walk in,” Dr. Jeff Walker, assistant superintendent of Supporting Services said.

The school has undergone extensive renovations during its 50-year history. It was only 20,502 square feet when it was originally built in 1966. After undergoing additions in 1976, 1998 and 2005, the school has grown to 48,072 square feet.

After further renovations on the heating and air conditioning system and the parking lots in 2012, Oakville now has some of the lowest energy-use statistics per square foot in the school system, said Dr. Walker.

Comptroller Franchot praised Oakville Principal Bo Carpenter and the numerous building service workers present at the ceremony--including Building Service Assistant Manager Diane Brawner--for their continued commitment to the well-being of their school.

Comptroller Franchot honored Carpenter with a Maryland Hero Medallion for his military service. He then awarded Diane Brawner a medallion for her outstanding work in building service.

Franchot awarded the Comptroller Medallion to the other building service workers present, in order to honor their continued commitment to Oakville Elementary School.

Franchot finished his speech by allowing the group of fifth-graders who attended the ceremony to ask him questions about his job as comptroller.

During the question and answer session, a student informed Comptroller Franchot that he and his classmates pick up trash at the end of every lunch period. Franchot awarded the student a Comptroller Medallion for his commitment and care to his school.

Beyond the principal and building service workers, the involvement in building maintenance is present at every level of the school.

“My advice to other schools would be to make sure that the kids are involved,” Carpenter said.

The school hosts a Beautification Day each Earth Day where students and parents pitch in to improve the school building. They help cut bushes, put mulch down, weed and seed.

The Silver Hammer Award was created by Comptroller Franchot in 2010 to ensure that Maryland recognizes schools demonstrating financial diligence through superior school facility maintenance.

“The state of Maryland cannot afford to build new schools,” said Franchot. “Let’s take care of what we have.”

The Silver Hammer Award is presented to one school in each of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City.

Couple honored for charity work

Originally posted here.

Charlotte Hall, MD - Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot arrived at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home Tuesday, May 24 to honor Stephen and Shirley Mattingly with the 2016 William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award.

Stephen and Shirley Mattingly are the creators of Stephen’s Fund, an organization that gives scholarships to local high school graduates, helps local disabilities organizations and donates directly to individuals with disabilities and their families.

Stephen’s Fund was created after the Mattinglys' son Stephen passed away from Leukemia before his tenth birthday. Stephen was born with Down syndrome but that did not stop him from being a light to everyone he met.

“His favorite saying was ‘sunny day, dad, sunny day,’” said Stephen Mattingly. “His life wasn’t about his disabilities. It was about his abilities.”

Stephen’s death prompted many people to donate to the Mattingly family and to The Arc of Southern Maryland, where Stephen Mattingly Sr. was a board member at the time. This inspired the Mattinglys to create Stephen’s Fund to help individuals with disabilities and those who wish to study special education.

“When Stephen died, we couldn’t let his memory go with him,” Stephen Mattingly said.

Stephen’s Fund hosted a basket bingo fundraiser and, 17 years later, the event is still the sole fundraiser the organization holds.

“It is the community that keeps it going,” said Shirley Mattingly. “We have had the same sponsors for 17 years.”

The William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award was created by Comptroller Peter Franchot in 2012 to honor former governor, comptroller and Baltimore City mayor William Donald Schaefer’s commitment to public service.

“If you ever go and visit Schaefer’s resting place, the tombstone says two words ‘he cared,’” said Comptroller Franchot. “That’s how he defined his legacy of public service. And frankly, I think those words represent what Shirley and Stephen have done.”

Comptroller Franchot is dedicated to continuing Schaefer’s legacy through the recognition of those who go above and beyond for their community.

“There are people like Stephen and Shirley all over Maryland,” Comptroller Franchot said. “Rarely do they get recognized. They reach out with good values and help people. The state of Maryland could never do what they do.”

The honorees are selected based on their demonstration to improve the community, to promptly respond to a citizen problem through effective government intervention, to directly aid those most vulnerable in society or to establish a public/private partnership to improve the lives of fellow Marylanders, said Franchot.

“Stephen and Shirley are able to honor their son’s life through helping others,”  Franchot said. “[Stephen’s death] is a terrible thing but they were able to help others because of it. Stephen’s memory lives on. Lives have been changed for the better because of Shirley and Stephen’s passion and commitment to help others.”

Stephen’s Fund, in collaboration with the Charlotte Hall Rotary Club, has raised over $100,000 in scholarships and contributions to local individuals with disabilities.

“Receiving this award is very humbling,” Shirley Mattingly said. “It keeps Stephen’s memory alive, which is what Stephen’s Fund is all about.”