COMMUNITY NEWS BRIEFS
Students compete in ISEF, foundation seeks support for students, student music video
Marion County Public Schools students Delaney Peterson, Briana Stephens and Nicholas DePasquale, participants in the local Big Springs STEM fair, recently competed in the International Science and Engineering Fair. [Submitted photo]
Local students compete in international science fair
Big Springs STEM, a program of Marion County Public Schools, has announced local award winners from the 2026 International Science and Engineering Fair, the world’s most prestigious pre-collegiate science competition.
MCPS students Delaney Peterson, Briana Stephens and Nicholas DePasquale, were participants in the local Big Springs STEM fair and recently competed in the ISEF.
“Delaney Peterson and Briana Stephens brought home an extraordinary combination of honors, including a place award and nearly $400,000 in scholarships and experiential opportunities,” the news release stated.
“Delaney, a student at Belleview High School, earned third place in the Earth and Environmental Sciences category at the ISEF 2026 Grand Awards ceremony, a remarkable achievement on the world stage of student science. Winning a place award at ISEF is extraordinarily difficult. Thousands of students from more than 60 countries compete each year, representing the very best young scientific minds on the planet. Delaney’s win reflects not just talent, but tenacity—she has been developing and refining her research for three years, facing numerous challenges along the way. Throughout it all, she persevered,” according to the release.
Delaney was awarded the Florida Institute of Technology Presidential Scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship valued at $68,000 per year for four years, totaling $272,000.
At the ISEF 2026 Special Awards Ceremony, Briana, also a student at Belleview High School, received a $20,000 per year scholarship to Lehigh University as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to Westlake University in China for a summer science experience recognizing her exceptional scientific achievement and global potential, the news release stated.
“We are incredibly proud of all three Big Springs finalists, Delaney, Briana and Nicholas. Their achievements are a testament to the exceptional talent, determination and spirit of the students at Belleview High School. Thank you to everyone who has supported these amazing,” said Erin Benavides, MCPS resource teacher and Big Springs STEM Fair director.
Foundation seeks support for students
The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County is offering the Ready for Success initiative.
“When students have the resources they need to succeed, our entire community benefits. The Ready for Success initiative is bringing together businesses, organizations and community members to help local students start the school year prepared, confident and ready to learn. Through this community-wide effort, support is being provided to four nonprofit partners serving children, families and teachers throughout Marion County: Marion County Public Schools – Families in Transition, Marion County Children’s Alliance, Stuff the Bus and The Rock Program,” the news release stated.
Foundation officials noted in the release that “from school supplies and educational resources to critical support services, these organizations are helping remove barriers to success for local students. But they can’t do it alone.”
Here are ways to be involved:
- Become a Ready for Success Partner ($1,000+) and help lead this community effort.
- Make a financial contribution of any amount to support local students and families.
- Purchase school supplies directly through the nonprofits’ Amazon Wish Lists.
To learn more, go to ocalafoundation.org/ready-for-success
Student production
The performance choir from Capstone Academy recently partnered with the Recording Ranch for what music director Allison Aldrich called “an amazing project.”
“We composed and produced our own cover of ‘A Million Dreams’ from the ‘Greatest Showman,’ and are releasing the single across all streaming platforms, as well as releasing an official music video produced locally at Recording Ranch in Ocala and some shots from other school functions. It’s really a once in a lifetime type of thing that these students got to be a part of. They shine bright and are doing big things,” Aldrich wrote in an email message.
Check out the video by visiting youtube.com/watch?v=c2JYCV4EB7Q
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