A Huntington Middle School eighth-grader has worked tirelessly over two years to earn a rare Boy Scout honor.
Boy Scouts of America Life Scout Sharif Sivad became the first person ever in San Marino Troop 355, and possibly the Rose Bowl District, to receive the Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Award.
The Supernova awards acknowledge exceptional accomplishments by a Boy Scout in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.
His Scoutmaster Ron Garretson presented the 13-year-old with the award on Thursday, Feb. 11.
“The Rose Bowl District was much impressed because they can’t even remember the last time a Scout achieved this award,” Garretson said. “It’s really noteworthy.”
“It’s rare to see these awards presented,” said Rose Bowl District Executive Kyle Galloway. “We did research and couldn’t find anyone who got one.”
Robert Granadino was Sharif’s STEM counselor and mentor.
“It was great working with Sharif,” Granadino said. “He’s really an intelligent kid who is very inquisitive. I think what really stood out in all of this is his imagination and his desire to dig into the various aspects.”
He said he learned with Sharif and provided feedback where he could.
“I’m extremely proud of him,” Sharif’s mom Dr. M. Rochelle Sivad said. “He’s a hard worker and a very humble child. He works hard and doesn’t try to take a lot of credit. He is really supportive of his peers and I have so much respect for him because he tries to help others and he’s not just self-serving.”
Sharif’s father Darryl Sivad, who is assistant Scoutmaster for San Marino Troop 355, also said he was proud.
“Sharif has worked very hard on this award,” he said, mentioning that there were many unexpected study areas to this award.
Both parents said Sharif was very lucky to have Granadino, an inventor of the ergonomic keyboard, as his advisor. They also noted their appreciation for Civil Engineer Resur Bongolan, who briefly was Sharif’s advisor.
Sharif had to accomplish many requirements before receiving this award.
“I had to do a lot of science, technology, engineering and math,” he said. “I designed a working ride, like that works in amusements parks. I was able to make a car of my own with a balloon, a straw and Balsa wood.”
Sharif earned three Boy Scout Nova Awards – “Shoot!” “Start Your Engines!” and “Whoosh!” For “Shoot!,” Sharif watched three hours of PBS Nova documentaries on aviation; earned the Archery Merit Badge; provided reports on escape velocity, orbital velocity and terminal velocity to his counselor; toured the Space Shuttle Endeavor exhibit at the California Science Center; designed and created a catapult to launch Gummy Bears; and explained science in everyday life.
To earn his “Start your Engines!” award, he watched three hours of PBS Nova documentaries on transportation; earned his Automotive Maintenance Merit Badge; reported on the pros and cons of fossil fuels and alternative sources of energy; designed and built a working Wind Powered Car, and explained technology in everyday life.
For his “Whoosh!” award, Sharif watched 3 ½ hours of PBS Nova documentaries on engineering; read books on forces and motion, earned his Aviation Merit Badge; co-piloted a glider plane with an FAA-licensed pilot over the San Gabriel Mountains; created a list of simple machines and how they work; visited Universal Studios to research simple machines and forces of motion in action; designed a spinning racecar simulation amusement park ride; and explained engineering in everyday life.
Sharif had to present information and questions on and discuss many of these activities with his counselor after he did them.
Other accomplishments for the Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Award were earning the Scholarship Merit Badge as well as the four Supernova-approved merit badges in chemistry, radio, oceanography and gardening. Sharif also participated in the Huntington Middle School Science Fair, learned about STEM careers, presented the STEM Nova program at a San Marino Pack 354 meeting, and created a research report and presentation on the “Scientific vs. Engineering Method.”
Sharif has been a Scout since he was in the first grade.
When asked about what he likes about being a Scout, he replied, “everything, from camaraderie, camping and just togetherness.”
Sharif said he recommends everyone who is not in Scouting, to not only join, but also challenge themselves to earn the Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Award.
“It’s just an amazing experience overall,” he said.
Sharif also enjoys playing basketball and video games, and spending time with his family. He is a member of the Crown City club basketball team.
He said he’d like to have a career in sports medicine just in case his basketball dreams in the NBA don’t work out.
