ABBOTSFORD CHRISTIAN GRADUATE WINS HONORS AT UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO

Melinda Ouwerkerk, a former Abbotsford Christian student and member of the Valley Royals Track Club, is graduating with honors from University of Idaho Ouwekerk, who was a four year member of the Vandal Track has also made her mark as a scholar and is being presented with several awards for academic excellence.

Ouwerkerk, who is graduating this June with a perfect 4.0 average, has been named to the Dean's List and will be honored with the John B George Award as the most outstanding senior in the College of Science. The award was presented to Melinda for her achievements in athletics, service and academic excellence. On graduation day, Ouwekerk will carry the banner for the College of Science.

Last summer Ouwerkerk worked with Professor Tom Bitterwolf in the hope that their research will shed new light on a chemical process that someday may help diabetics. She was one of 39 outstanding science students across the USA to take part in the project.

She spent 10 week in Bitterwolf's lab synthesizing compounds containing molybdenum, tungsten and iron and then testing their response to light. Her summer project focused on synthesizing organometallic complexes, then testing them to see if light causes them to release nitrogen oxide. Better known as �laughing gas�, the dental anesthetic, nitrogen oxide causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow.

"I've been really interested in doing research for awhile and the interaction with other students from different universities was also great", said Ouwekerk.

And there was a monetary prize that came with her awards. Melinda was presented with an engraved plaque that consisted 50 Troy Ounces of silver. With the price of silver increasing month by month this is one prize that definitely has �lasting value.�

Melinda is intending to take a year off school to do other things then next year will enter medical school. A great story for a young lady who has utilized her talents in running and academics.

Corwin Timmermans 2009 Provincial Champion Race Walk

As a grade 10 at the 2004 BC Provincial Track Championships, Dane Boersma won the 1500 metre racewalk Gold Medal.  It wass the first provincial gold medal ever won by an Abby Christian track athlete.






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