Dear Sir or Madam, September 30, 2024 I am privileged to write in support of Cole Vaughn, for a Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarship. I was honored to have taught Cole in AP Biology; the biotechnology pathway courses and AP Environmental Science. Over the course of four years, Cole showed immense enthusiasm and passion for all if his science classes as well as computer programing. As a student in the Academy of Science Research and Medicine, all of Cole’s core classes were Honors and Advanced Placement as well as many electives. Cole was the salutatorian of his graduating class. He has earned numerous academic accolades which include AP Scholar with Honor, AP Scholar with Distinction, UGA One Scholarship, Georgia Tech Stamps President’s and Gold Scholarship Semifinalist, and the UGA Foundation Fellowship finalist. Cole’s maturity and motivation to learn contribute to his success as a student; his conscientious work ethic is evident with successful completion of demanding academic curricula throughout his high school career. Cole thrives to understand and learn. For example, he will ask clarifying questions on assessment components he missed until the content is fully understood. Cole was accepted into Biotechnology Independent Research his junior year, and he has already proven to be an exceptional choice. His team’s science fair project titled, “Using qPCR to Analyze Growth and Metabolism Genes in Carassius Auratus”, earned him first place in the regional fair and first honors at the 2023 Georgia Science and Engineering Fair (GSEF). He was also awarded numerous special awards for his accomplishments as a researcher, such as Best in Category at GSEF, and NOAA’s 2023 Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award. In the classroom, Cole confidently participated in both cooperative and independent settings and demonstrates the critical thinking processes necessary for application of content to real-world circumstances. He is able to efficiently construct meaning from learned material and consistently perform well on assessments. Cole values collaborative activities and diversity in experiences and perspectives, as indicated by his communication skills observed during group projects. Cole also views feedback and self-reflection as opportunities to improve, evident by the adjustments he makes in response to instructor and peer-reviewed activities. These classroom behaviors indicate strong skills in leadership that he can use throughout his educational and career endeavors. Cole had leadership roles in the Science National Honors Society, National Honors Society, FBLA and participated in Beta Club. Cole volunteered so many hours to help facilitate a STEM culture in our county by conducting STEM activities at elementary and middle schools. Cole participated in the robotics team and continues to be part of the robotics team at UGA. It is clear to me he is a person of substantial character and integrity. Cole demonstrates passion and commitment to his education as well as his community. The amount of volunteering he does is simply impressive. Cole is a superior candidate with a record of achievement thus I recommend Cole with enthusiasm for a Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarship. He is an outstanding young man and is motivated to succeed in his academic and personal goals. Cole is an amazing student and will have an impact in whatever path he takes in life. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Tricia M. Pedersen Tricia Pedersen, Ed.S. Academy of Science, Research and Medicine Paulding County High School 1297 Villa Rica Hwy. Dallas, GA 30157 (770)-443-8008 tpedersen@paulding.k12.ga.us
Dear Sir or Madam, September 30, 2024 I am privileged to write in support of Cole Vaughn, for a Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarship. I was honored to have taught Cole in AP Biology; the biotechnology pathway courses and AP Environmental Science. Over the course of four years, Cole showed immense enthusiasm and passion for all if his science classes as well as computer programing. As a student in the Academy of Science Research and Medicine, all of Cole’s core classes were Honors and Advanced Placement as well as many electives. Cole was the salutatorian of his graduating class. He has earned numerous academic accolades which include AP Scholar with Honor, AP Scholar with Distinction, UGA One Scholarship, Georgia Tech Stamps President’s and Gold Scholarship Semifinalist, and the UGA Foundation Fellowship finalist. Cole’s maturity and motivation to learn contribute to his success as a student; his conscientious work ethic is evident with successful completion of demanding academic curricula throughout his high school career. Cole thrives to understand and learn. For example, he will ask clarifying questions on assessment components he missed until the content is fully understood. Cole was accepted into Biotechnology Independent Research his junior year, and he has already proven to be an exceptional choice. His team’s science fair project titled, “Using qPCR to Analyze Growth and Metabolism Genes in Carassius Auratus”, earned him first place in the regional fair and first honors at the 2023 Georgia Science and Engineering Fair (GSEF). He was also awarded numerous special awards for his accomplishments as a researcher, such as Best in Category at GSEF, and NOAA’s 2023 Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award. In the classroom, Cole confidently participated in both cooperative and independent settings and demonstrates the critical thinking processes necessary for application of content to real-world circumstances. He is able to efficiently construct meaning from learned material and consistently perform well on assessments. Cole values collaborative activities and diversity in experiences and perspectives, as indicated by his communication skills observed during group projects. Cole also views feedback and self-reflection as opportunities to improve, evident by the adjustments he makes in response to instructor and peer-reviewed activities. These classroom behaviors indicate strong skills in leadership that he can use throughout his educational and career endeavors. Cole had leadership roles in the Science National Honors Society, National Honors Society, FBLA and participated in Beta Club. Cole volunteered so many hours to help facilitate a STEM culture in our county by conducting STEM activities at elementary and middle schools. Cole participated in the robotics team and continues to be part of the robotics team at UGA. It is clear to me he is a person of substantial character and integrity. Cole demonstrates passion and commitment to his education as well as his community. The amount of volunteering he does is simply impressive. Cole is a superior candidate with a record of achievement thus I recommend Cole with enthusiasm for a Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarship. He is an outstanding young man and is motivated to succeed in his academic and personal goals. Cole is an amazing student and will have an impact in whatever path he takes in life. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Tricia M. Pedersen Tricia Pedersen, Ed.S. Academy of Science, Research and Medicine Paulding County High School 1297 Villa Rica Hwy. Dallas, GA 30157 (770)-443-8008 tpedersen@paulding.k12.ga.us
Dear Sir or Madam, September 30, 2024 I am privileged to write in support of Cole Vaughn, for a Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarship. I was honored to have taught Cole in AP Biology; the biotechnology pathway courses and AP Environmental Science. Over the course of four years, Cole showed immense enthusiasm and passion for all if his science classes as well as computer programing. As a student in the Academy of Science Research and Medicine, all of Cole’s core classes were Honors and Advanced Placement as well as many electives. Cole was the salutatorian of his graduating class. He has earned numerous academic accolades which include AP Scholar with Honor, AP Scholar with Distinction, UGA One Scholarship, Georgia Tech Stamps President’s and Gold Scholarship Semifinalist, and the UGA Foundation Fellowship finalist. Cole’s maturity and motivation to learn contribute to his success as a student; his conscientious work ethic is evident with successful completion of demanding academic curricula throughout his high school career. Cole thrives to understand and learn. For example, he will ask clarifying questions on assessment components he missed until the content is fully understood. Cole was accepted into Biotechnology Independent Research his junior year, and he has already proven to be an exceptional choice. His team’s science fair project titled, “Using qPCR to Analyze Growth and Metabolism Genes in Carassius Auratus”, earned him first place in the regional fair and first honors at the 2023 Georgia Science and Engineering Fair (GSEF). He was also awarded numerous special awards for his accomplishments as a researcher, such as Best in Category at GSEF, and NOAA’s 2023 Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award. In the classroom, Cole confidently participated in both cooperative and independent settings and demonstrates the critical thinking processes necessary for application of content to real-world circumstances. He is able to efficiently construct meaning from learned material and consistently perform well on assessments. Cole values collaborative activities and diversity in experiences and perspectives, as indicated by his communication skills observed during group projects. Cole also views feedback and self-reflection as opportunities to improve, evident by the adjustments he makes in response to instructor and peer-reviewed activities. These classroom behaviors indicate strong skills in leadership that he can use throughout his educational and career endeavors. Cole had leadership roles in the Science National Honors Society, National Honors Society, FBLA and participated in Beta Club. Cole volunteered so many hours to help facilitate a STEM culture in our county by conducting STEM activities at elementary and middle schools. Cole participated in the robotics team and continues to be part of the robotics team at UGA. It is clear to me he is a person of substantial character and integrity. Cole demonstrates passion and commitment to his education as well as his community. The amount of volunteering he does is simply impressive. Cole is a superior candidate with a record of achievement thus I recommend Cole with enthusiasm for a Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarship. He is an outstanding young man and is motivated to succeed in his academic and personal goals. Cole is an amazing student and will have an impact in whatever path he takes in life. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Tricia M. Pedersen Tricia Pedersen, Ed.S. Academy of Science, Research and Medicine Paulding County High School 1297 Villa Rica Hwy. Dallas, GA 30157 (770)-443-8008 tpedersen@paulding.k12.ga.us