AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci recently recognized nine Maine students in his State House office for their achievements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

One of the students, Caroline Suresh of Bridgton, was one of two Maine delegates to the nationally acclaimed and highly selective National Youth Science Camp.

“What you are doing is important for you and important to our state and our nation,” Baldacci told the students. “We need more students going into science, technology, engineering and math. I hope you will continue to be a part of answering the important scientific questions of our time, and developing the solutions to the important challenges we face.”

Suresh was invited by Gov. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia to participate as delegates to the National Youth Science Camp held near the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, W. Va.

Suresh will graduate this year at the age of 16 from Lake Region High School where she participated in varsity soccer, junior varsity basketball, the National Honor Society, math team, Coffee Talk Book Club, Show Choir and served as class secretary for four years.

Among her academic achievements, Suresh received the Lion’s Club Student of the Month Award, the AP Scholar with Honor Award from the College Board, participated in Dirigo Girls State and received the National Merit Student Commendment. Suresh has also conducted independent research on bacterial DNA.

Outside of school Suresh volunteers at her church’s Sunday morning nursery and at the Sunday School and has worked at the church’s summer camp as a counselor. She will attend Dartmouth College this fall and plans to study biology.

The National Youth Science Camp is an annual summer forum where two delegates representing each state exchange ideas with leading scientists and other professionals from academic and corporate worlds.

Anita Bernhardt, the Maine Department of Education’s science content specialist and coordinator for the National Youth Science Camp application process in Maine, said the students are high achievers in science, had great recommendations from their teachers and are very involved in their schools and communities.

She said the application is rigorous, and applications undergo a thorough review by a review panel.