Top high school seniors from Chautauqua County are participating in the Summer 2009 Scholar Enrichment Program on JCC's Jamestown Campus.

Recently recognized by the National Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University, JCC's program was created last year through a discussion between JCC President Gregory T. DeCinque and several area school district superintendents.

"The school districts encouraged JCC to create additional academic offerings in science and math to challenge top high school seniors," said Nelson J. Garifi, executive director of marketing and academic initiatives, who coordinates the program. "We initiated the program last summer with courses in engineering and biotechnology. This year, we're offering a three-credit course in health science."

Participating students were selected by their guidance counselors and are currently ranked in the top 10% of their high school classes. Full tuition and textbook expenses for the students are covered through JCC's Pre-College Enrollment Program (PEP) Grant and a grant from the Western New York Career Pathways Consortium.

"In addition to the academic rigor of the course, this experience creates a community of scholars as top students come together and focus on a particular topic," Garifi said.
Scholar Enrichment Program students are Sarah E. Hicks and Anna F. Nietupski, Cassadaga Valley Central School; Darren A. Norris and Jordan R. Steele, Falconer Central School; Alexander D. Heywook and Caleb T. Johnson, Frewsburg Central School; Sara B. Goff and Patrick S. Salemme, Jamestown High School; Krista N. Ecklund and Brenda L. Hoglin, Maple Grove High School; Bethany A. Hall and Ashley M. Senske, Panama Central School; and Dillon J. Bucklin, Chelsea E. Peterson, and Nichole Triscuit, Southwestern Central School.

Biology 1510: Health Science allows students to investigate a variety of health-related topics including stress, mental health, nutrition, reproduction, cardiovascular health, aging, and environmental health. Instructor Judy Beckerink has scheduled a number of guest speakers for the course, which continues through August 13, as well as visits to WCA Hospital and the environmental health lab in Mayville.