The annual Fairchild Challenge presented a variety of options for schools to participate in throughout the school year and offered elementary schools the opportunity to take part in the Challenge for the second year in a row.

Our Montessori, Primary and Intermediate schools submitted art pieces in the form of beautiful blooms, wrote poetry about flowers, and displayed their organic garden to the Challenge. Over 150 schools partook in these activities this year. Out of the many participants, Fairchild acknowledged and awarded Carrollton’s Montessori garden with a Special Merit Award for Outstanding Teamwork. Third grader Cecilia Mestre won first place for her poem, "The Flower That Could Glow." Primary students Charlotte Leigh and Elizabeth Wooster’s art work of orchid blooms were chosen to be auctioned at Fairchild Gardens. Intermediate students Lucia Pineiro and Ivelyn Harris received second and third place respectively for their “Beautiful Blooms” Art Challenge entries.

The Awards Ceremony for the Middle School Fairchild Challenge took place on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Over 40,300 students from 70 schools participated in the Middle School Challenge this year. Teachers Lizette Gomez, Pam Styrsky, and Heather Gillingham-Rivas, Director of the Intermediate, attended the event. Carrollton, which took part in every middle school option of the Challenge, won a Bronze Award and $250 toward our next ecological project.

The 6th grade received a Special Merit Award for Best Acting by Lead Performers for their original skit, “The Last of my Species.” Sixth graders Samara Rolle, Marika Boink, Irene Calvo, Angelica Gonzalez, Erika Haderer, Sarah Busse, Bella Gonzalez, and Ms. Lizette Gomez were singled out for their outstanding acting.

Ms. Styrsky and Eighth grader Sabrina Tamames were recognized as environmental role models for our school, receiving a plant, a certificate, and a medal.

Overall, Carrollton received the Fairchild Challenge Award for receiving more than 750 points this school year.