Sunrise Mountain High School GRADD-NVBAA STEM Award Ceremony

On June 1, 2016 Students in the Aviation Club at Sunrise Mountain High School were recognized with awards for achieving excellence during their third annual GRADD-NVBAA, STEM Awards Ceremony. Aviation Students were presented with their signed aviation flyers hours.

Students learn Science, Technology, Engineering and Math(STEM) Combined with the Robotics Club and Aviation Club. These students have learned to design and engineer robotic drones, and the Aviation Club have learned how to fly them.

The Aviation Club was Formed on March 10, 2014 by President Reza Karamooz, The Math Club is lead by Math teacher Thitiya Pathakkhinang and the Robotics program is lead by Ben Nguyen.

This educational program has proven to be successful in building skills and confidence within the students, In just their first year, 2014 Sunrise Mountain High School was named as Winner of the Second GAMA/Build A Plane STEM Competition.

What these programs are researching and engineering now will become and significant part of our daily lives in the near future.

It was an honor to attend this event and have the opportunity to hear each student share their stories and experiences through STEM. They each expressed great pride about their personal growth and achievements. Friendly competition seems to play a motivating role, their Aviation Instructor Reza fondly told stories about long nights of trial and error on projects with Joshua Carlson and Ruben Gurrola focusing on achieving that higher score. They kept each other challenged while working as a team. The other major element contributing to the success of this program are the dedicated instructors. These three remarkable educators devote countless hours to their students, not only in the classroom long after the bell has rung and other faculty and students have gone home, they are still in class focused on achieving set goals, they spend weekends and holidays going on fields trips, exploring, continuously going the extra mile for “Their Children”

Thitiya Pathakkhinang who is affectionately referred to as “Mrs. P.” by her students is passionate about teaching, she sets high expectations but applies a hands on approach to the individual needs of her student to help them succeed. Reza Karamooz applies his enthusiastic energy and greatly challenges his Aviation Club towards reaching higher achievements one after another. Ben Nguyen is truly dedicated to providing the support and resources to his Robotic Club, in addition to the long hours and extracurricular activities, Ben has been providing countless miles of transportation with his own vehicle ensuring that every student arrives safely to and from each event, competition, and club meetings. Their exemplary leadership roles undoubtedly provide a solid learning foundation.

The program continues to thrive and is recognized and supported by State Leaders such as Lt. Governor Mark Hutchison, Senator Dean Heller,  Congresswoman Dina Titus, Congressman Joe Heck, and Congressman Cresent Hardy. The students received certificates of achievement from each of  these Government Leaders during the awards ceremony, and medals from the office of Lt. Governor Mark Hutchison that features his face.

Congratulations to all of the recipients for earning these distinguished awards through hard work and dedication, and Congratulations to the instructors for successfully implementing these innovative programs.

Aviation Club Award Recipients

Joshua Carlson – 11th Grade Certificate of Accomplishment, 3^rd Year Star, Second Elected President, 2016 GAMA Aviation design challenge second highest score, Completed Grid air ground school, FORMULA X-15 Team NVBAA Aviation club Sunrise Mountain High School

Nathan Moebius – 11th Grade Certificate of Exemplary Participation, 2^nd Year Star, 2016 GAMA Aviation design challenge highest score, Completed Grid air ground school, Frist Place Skybot Drone Competition qualified round challenge, FORMULA X-15 Team NVBAA Aviation club Sunrise Mountain High School

Ruben Gurrola – 10th Grade Certificate of Exemplary Participation, 2016 GAMA Aviation design challenge 4^th highest score, Completed Grid air ground school, Drone builder team NVBAA Aviation and Robotics clubs Sunrise Mountain High School

Eduardo Morales – 12th Grade Certificate of Accomplishment for Most Improved, Exemplary Participation, 2016 GAMA Aviation design challenge 3^rd highest score, completed a 3 day Jet Tech internship program at Aviation Institute of Maintenance, FORMULA X-15 Team NVBAA Aviation club Sunrise Mountain High School

Krypto Club Award Recipients

Cody Gillgren – 11th Grade Certificate of Accomplishment 2015-2016 Krypto  2^nd year’s winner of Southern Nevada and 3nd  Year Star Sunrise Mountain High School Krypto Club

Robotic Club Award Recipients

Vice President: Guillermo Guevara – 12th Grade Certificate of Excellence in Leadership, 1^st Year Member – VEX, FRC, Skybot

Vice President: Guillermo Guevara – 12th Grade Certificate of Excellence in Leadership, 1^st Year Member – VEX, FRC, Skybot

Secretary and Social Media Leader: Shakira Guzman – 10th Grade Certificate of Excellence in Media, 1^st Year Member – VEX, FRC, Skybot

Head Programmer: Brayan Duran – 9th Grade Certificate of Excellence in Programming, 1^st Year Member – VEX, FRC, Skybot

3D Printing Manager: Steven Zuluaga-Fermin – 12th Grade Certificate of Excellence in 3D Printing, 1^st Year Member – VEX, FRC, Skybot

Drive Team Captain: David Jacks – 10th Grade Certificate of Exemplary Participation, 2^st Year Member – VEX, FRC, Skybot

If you’re interested in contributing to these programs please contact Thitiya Pathakkhinang or Ben Nguyen at Sunrise Mountain High School 702-629-8508,  or Reza Karamooz at 702-508-9888