On March 22, Jamaican-born Dr Celia Earle was presented with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Golden Torch Award. She was selected as the 2008 Outstanding Woman in Technology.

NSBE is an international organisation with over 27,000 members, dedicated to the academic and professional development and success of African-American engineering students and practising professionals.

Dr Earle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental engineering, microbiology and cell science, an MSc in environmental engineering, and a PhD in environmental chemistry from the University of Florida. She follows in the footsteps of her father, Dr Jonathan Earle, who recently received a national Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

Dr Earle is a senior associate with Malcolm Pirnie, Inc, an international firm of environmental engineers, scientists, and consultants, and manages the Ft Lauderdale and Miami offices with over 28 engineers, scientists and consultants. These offices provide water, wastewater, solid waste and management consulting services to municipal clients throughout Florida.

Ardenne alumni honoured in US

Hilca Thomas - Contributed

Hilca Thomas, curriculum assistant principal at Howard A. Doolin Middle School in Miami, Florida, was selected as the outstanding assistant principal for 2008.

Thomas manages, organises and facilitates resources for instruction, encouraging teachers to use best practices and creative instructional strategies to enhance their lessons. In 2004, Thomas authored and obtained the NASA Explore School Grant, designating Doolin as a NASA Explorer School. The grant will improve the quality of science and mathematics instruction by giving teachers the opportunity to be trained by NASA experts.

A past student of Ardenne High School, Thomas received a Bachelor of Science in zoology from the University of West Indies, Mona, and her Master of Science in biology education from the University of Miami. She taught biology and science at the middle and high school level for 12 years before her position in administration, where she has been for eight years.

Thomas was the 2006-2007 Regional Center V Assistant Principal of the Year. In 2007, she was named the Florida Outstanding Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year.