FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –

February 27, 2006

 Glynn Environmental Coalition
 P. O. Box 2443
 Brunswick, Georgia  31521-2443
 Tel. (912) 466-0934 

 Email: gec@darientel.net
 CONTACT:  Daniel Parshley, Robert Randall

FIRST ANNUAL LIPSCOMB SCIENCE FAIR AWARD

WON BY NATALIE DEMARKO

        Natalie Demarko, a 9th grader at Brunswick High School, became the first recipient of the Dr. William T. Lipscomb Science Fair Award this past Saturday at the award ceremonies at Coastal Georgia Community College.  Ms. Demarko's project, "Testing The Effects of Fertilization on Oak Grove Island Golf Course Pond Water Quality", was judged to have best epitomized concern and hope for a clean economy and healthy economy for coastal Georgia.

    The award was given by the Glynn Environmental Coalition (GEC) in honor of its former Secretary, Dr. William T. Lipscomb, who taught life sciences at Coastal Georgia Community College for 18 years.   This year's judges for the Lipscomb Award were Dr. Eugene Keferl, also a retired  CGCC science teacher, and Joel Myers and Stephen Ryner of the GEC Board of Directors.  Mr. Ryner currently serves as GEC Secretary, filling the position vacated by Lipscomb's death last year.

    The award was presented to Ms. Demarko by GEC President Bill Owens and Ms. Lois Gibbs, founder and Executive Director of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) based in Falls Church, VA.  Ms. Gibbs was in town conducting an Environmental Leadership Conference co=sponsored by the College and GEC.  "This is what we hope our children will grow into," said Ms. Gibbs -- "concern for the environment and for others."

    The award consisted of a certificate, a $100 check, a student membership in the GEC, and Ms. Demarko's name engraved on the Lipscomb trophy, which is kept on display at the GEC offices at 4472-C New Jesup Highway.  "We welcome the public to come by, see the award, and browse our resource center," says GEC Project Manager Daniel Parshley.

       The 22nd Coastal Georgia Regional Science and Engineering Fair was sponsored by Coastal Georgia Community College.

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