Whiz Kids: Franklin High School Students Shine at Annual Sewer Science Competition

Franklin High School Sewer Science Students: Susan Arevalo, Leslie Cruz, Carolina Roque, Patricia Hernandez, Jenny Huang, Elaine Zhao, Amanda Zuno, Sarbjeet Singh, Monica Guzman, Barbra Tatlonghari, Manuel Morales.

Whiz Kid's Ages: 15-18

Whiz Kid's School:

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: These Whiz Kids captured first, second and third place finishes in both the model and video categories, at the Annual Sewer Science Technical Competition.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: The students constructed models of the city's wastewater collection and treatment systems out of recycled materials. 

Barbra Tatlonghari and Manuel Morales snagged first place in the model category. It was the second consecutive year Tatlonghari produced a first place finish.

"Our presentation went really well, the judges actually asked us if we took speech class because we were really good speakers. They loved our model and I think that’s why we ended up winning first place," Morales said.

Tatlonghari said her favorite part about the presentation was getting to do something that was educational, but enjoyable and the same time. In addition to creating the project with her good friend.

Sewer Science is a multi-subject curriculum which stresses the importance of pollution prevention in the communities of Los Angeles. The Annual Sewer Science Technical Competition is a chance for students to showcase what they have learned from the curriculum.

"The most challenging part was learning the process since there were so many parts of it and memorizing what happens and how it cleans our water," 15-year-old Jenny Huang said.

Huang and fellow classmates Elaine Zhao, Amanda Zhuno and Patricia Hernandez grabbed second place in the competition.

According to Zhao, the groups were judged by the content of their presentation which contained various pollution prevention techniques, such as pre-treatment, primary treatment and secondary treatment. They were also judged on how their models were labeled.

Tenth graders Leslie Cruz, Susan Arevalo and Carolina Roque rounded out the competition with a third place finish.

The participants were interviewed and evaluated on their knowledge of the program's course of study.

"We weren’t sure if they were going to ask us about our model or how we created everything, but overall we did a really good job and we prepared and were ready for anything they were going to ask," Arevalo said.

Cruz said the team went to local art stores asking for any unused materials to use for the group's project.

"We used cups, clothes and cardboard from previous projects and other classrooms for our model," Cruz said. "Our main purpose was that we wanted to show people that we recycle, because if we don’t, our planet can be destroyed."

Sarbjeet Singh took home a first place finish in the video category for her two minute, solo video project Open Your Eyes.

"I learned a lot about the environment such as the island trash in the Pacific Ocean," Singh said. "I did the video by myself, however, a couple of my friends acted in it."

Students who competed in the video category created a Public Service Announcement on the significance of water conservation.

Monica Guzman came in right behind Singh in the same category, with a second place finish for her video Earth Is Not Our Personal Trash Can.

"I made a video on reducing water pollution. I loved making the video and teaching others that pollution effects our environment," Guzman said.

The students, who were coached by FHS science teacher Jomel Villamil, will receive prizes for their accomplishments at an award ceremony on June 10 at 9:00 a.m. The ceremony will be held on the third floor at Los Angeles City Hall and is open to the public.

FHS Assistant Principal Mario Caldevilla said,"It’s all a reflection of the teaching and the learning opportunities created by our teachers and of course, the ability of our students."