Marisa Anders | Claiborne Progress Grand prize winner Riley Martin, a sixth-grade student at H.Y. Livesay Middle School, with her winning project entitled "How Green is a Green Roof."

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Marisa Anders | Claiborne Progress Four students from Claiborne County were chosen to compete in the Go Green Science Fair, and parents, teachers and administrators were on hand to cheer them on. Pictured are from left, back row: Karyn Clark, principal of H.Y. Livesay Middle School; Bob Oakes, safety director for Claiborne County schools; Wanda Davis, principal of Springdale School; Connie Holdway, director of schools; Pam Wilmoth, teacher and Bridgett Saylor, teacher; front row: Tyler Brooks of H.Y. Livesay and second place winner; Riley Martin of H.Y. Livesay and grand prize winner; Lynnsey Saylor of Springdale and Amelia Blankenship of Midway Elementary.

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A Claiborne County sixth-grader was the big winner at the Go Green Science Fair held Friday at the Tex Turner Arena on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University (LMU).

Riley Martin attends H.Y. Livesay Middle School in Harrogate and took home the grand prize of $1,000.

The science fair was sponsored by Clinch-Powell Educational Cooperative (CPEC) and LMU.

There 19 competitors on the final day chosen from the five counties CPEC serves: Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Scott and Union.

“These are the best of the best,” said CPEC Head Start Director Debbie Thomas.

Former state senator Jamie Woodson was the keynote speaker for the event. She is now the President and CEO of the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) and was introduced by CPEC Executive Director Terry Acuff.

SCORE collaboratively supports Tennessee’s work to prepare students for college and the workforce. It is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan advocacy and research institution, founded by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. According to its website, SCORE inspires leaders by sustaining momentum around a common reform agenda, holds a mirror up to the state to illuminate what is working and identify key challenges, and supports work to innovate and develop creative solutions to educational challenges.

“We do this through research-based policy advocacy, strategic communications, outreach, progress monitoring, and highlighting and sharing best-practices,” according to the website.

SCORE is governed by a 14-member board of directors comprised of Tennessee philanthropic and business leaders who are committed to ensuring that Tennessee’s students are prepared for the global marketplace.

Additionally, SCORE’s work is advised by a 29-member steering committee comprised of the state’s top education stakeholders including policymakers, educators, business leaders, parents, and students.

Several educators and parents were at the science fair to support the participating students. Each student who reached the final level of competition received an iPad for their efforts.

Approximately $3,000 was awarded on Friday.

Second place in the competition was awarded to Tyler Brooks, also an H.Y. Livesay student.

Kyler Martin of Bean Station elementary won third. Peyton Freels of Winfield elementary in Scott County won fourth place. Eleanor Terry of Burchfield elementary in Scott County won fifth.

“I am so proud of these kids,” said H.Y. Livesay Principal Karyn Clark. “They have put so much work into these projects, and to see them be rewarded like this is wonderful.”

Both CPEC and LMU representatives said they hope to make the Go Green Science Fair an annual event.