CONTACT: Nancy Mitchell, 602-352-2521, mitchell@wapa.gov

 The 13 high schools participating in the all-day competition are: Barry Goldwater, Brophy College Preparatory, Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe, from Phoenix; Centennial, from Peoria; Chandler; Chaparral, from Scottsdale; Millennium, from Goodyear; Phoenix Country Day School, from Paradise Valley; Mountain View, Red Mountain and Westwood, from Mesa; and Tempe Preparatory Academy.

 Funding and support of the regional event is provided by: Western Area Power Administration’s Desert Southwest Region; Martinez and Curtis, P.C. for Arizona Power Users Association; Arizona Power Service; Southwest Gas; Irrigation and Electrical Districts Association; Arizona Electric Power Cooperative; Greater Phoenix Mensa; Saturn of Arrowhead; and DeVry. Volunteers from these and other local organizations have donated many hours of time to the event.

Jeanne Evenson, veteran Science Bowl coach from Mesa's Mountain View High School has coached two teams that moved on to the Nationals.

"Our school's interest in Science Bowl began when a student decided to revive the school's science club. When I agreed to be the club's advisor, I suggested we should have a purpose. That purpose became preparing for Science Bowl competition. We have competed in three regional Science Bowls and gone on to the National's the past two years," Evenson said.

When asked where some of the students are now, Evenson explained that one former student and Science Bowl team member, Sterling Nesbitt, is studying paleontology at the University of California at Berkeley. She noted that Nesbitt, at age 15, published a book revealing two new species of dinosaurs. All former team members are currently attending college.

"High school teachers use this competition to encourage students to achieve educational excellence in the sciences," said Arizona regional event coordinator Joycelyn Craig. Craig has coordinated the Arizona regional competition for six years.