Student inventors gathered on May 19 at Columbus State Community College for the 17th annual Central Ohio Regional Invention Convention, presented by Time Warner Cable. When the judging was finished, a number of Westerville students – and one teacher – earned honors.

The 2012 Teacher of Excellence Award was given to Chris Henricksen, a fifth grade Science and Social Studies teacher at Mark Twain Elementary School. Henricksen received a $1,500 technology package for his classroom; a Donato’s Pizza party; a COSI field trip; a PT Reptiles “Reptile Education Program” for his class; and student passes from LAzerKraze.

The $500 Bob Bullock “Look at the Donut…not the Hole” Memorial Scholarship was given to Nolan Todys, a fourth grader at Hanby Arts Magnet School, for “Safelink.” Erik Welch, an eighth grade pupil at Genoa Middle School, earned a $1,000 Environmental Ambassadors’ Scholarship for “Recycled Pencils.”

Inventors whose creations rated in the Top Fifty earned $50 savings bonds. Eight were Westerville students.

• Erik Welch, grade 8, Genoa Middle School, “Recycled Pencils”
• Coleton Morr, grade 4, Emerson, “Chair Magic”
• Ema Rennie, grade 4, Hanby, “Maverick Swimming Safety”
• Jake Llaneza, grade 4, Emerson, “Chair Magic”
• Jon Feverston, grade 8, Heritage, “The Brass Bag”
• Grace Ann Neal, grade 4, Central College, “Pick Stop!”
• Alexander Fletcher, grade 3, McVay, “The Lighted Pet Walker”
• Molly Foster, grade 8, Walnut Springs, “Runners, Bikers, Walkers”