Baylor College of Medicine Biotech Academy at Rusk is celebrating after more than 50 students earned dozens of awards at this year’s Texas Science and Engineering Fair and the Texas Health Occupations Students of America (Future Health Professionals) State Leadership Conference.

“Our students work really hard and try to do the best that they can,” said Magnet Coordinator Senta Butler. “They come back with so much confidence and always look forward to going again the next year.”

Eighth graders Lucille Lopez and Rahmatoulie Loppy competed in the Texas Science and Engineering Fair at Texas A&M University March 24-25.

 Loppy advanced to the “Blue Ribbon” judging round where the top projects in the state are selected and placed first in the Behavioral and Social Sciences category.

“It’s so amazing to be able to celebrate them and see the remarkable growth from sixth grade to seventh grade and now eighth grade,” said Butler. “They are phenomenal students, and I am in awe at their intelligence and maturity level at such a young age.”

In addition to the Texas Science and Engineering Fair, 39 students received awards at the Texas HOSA State Leadership Conference which took place at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center March 28-30. The team collectively earned 29 awards.

Thirty-three students qualified for the International Leadership Conference for HOSA (Future Health Professionals) scheduled to take place this summer. P.E. teacher Lisa Schneider won State Advisor of the Year for the second time in her career.

See the full list of students recognized down below:

• State Advisor of the Year – Lisa Schneider
• TXSEF Behavioral and Social Sciences – 1^st place, Rahmatoulie Loppy
• HOSA Happenings – 6^th grade chapter recognition
• Texas HOSA Area Spirit Award – Rusk
• Math for Health Careers – 4^th place, Noyan Dogan; 1^st place, Noah Acuna
• Health Career Exploration – 1^st place, Maria Clara de Aguiar Sampaio
• Foundations of Nutrition – 5^th place, Gavin Gonzalez
• Extemporaneous Health Poster – 5^th place, Celeste Velazquez; 3^rd place, Alexis Salazar; 1^st place, Isabela Prieto
• Health Career Preparation – 5^th place, Denis Ramirez; 4^th place, Ella Hunter; 3^rd place, Amber Balderas; 2^nd place, Arturo Guajardo
• Healthy Lifestyle – 3^rd place, Viviana Rocha
• Prepared Speaking – 4^th place, Terrance Wicks; 1^st place, Rahmatoulie Loppy
• Public Health – 1^st place, Jasmine Savala, Alexia Garcia, Anthony Medina
• Dynamic Decisions – 1^st place, Ian Holcombe, Sir Huff, Jovanny Cruz, Javier Camacho
• Exploring Medical Innovation – 2^nd place, Alcides Conde, Josh Duron, Alexander Carrillo, Joaquin Silva-Lopez; 1^st place, Ethan Bustos, Pan Seng Ra
• Health Career Display – 2^nd place, Aniyah Williams, Briana Hill; 1^st place, Lucille Lopez, Vivienne Lightsy
• Health Education – 3^rd place., Myles Dues, Jayden Pulido, Joe Morales; 2^nd place, Kamari Allen, Jaylah Winn; 1^st place, Hannah Salazar, Tony Salazar, Kaidyn Manson
• Medical Art Poster – 3^rd place, Pan Seng Ra; 2^nd place, Celeste Velazquez; 1^st place, Isabela Prieto