With New Years just around the corner, Upper Dublin Patch is taking a look back at the top stories of the year in several categories. Check in each day to take a trip back through the calendar, before we unveil the top stories overall on the first day of 2012.

Schools

People love to complain about schools. Particularly, taxes. But in our experience, nearly every time we attend a school board meeting or speak to a school administrator about the latest budget news, they inevitably end the conversation with: "did you hear about the student that..." or "did you know that Mrs. _____ just won this award?"

While policy is important, most educators (and of course, parents) would like the headlines to revolve around the students. This review is for them.

Note: Schoolboard and budget headlines will be included in a different 2011 'news' review. Sports will also be listed separately.

December 16: Upper Dublin's Kevin Li Scores Perfect SAT
Offers advice to fellow students.

October 25: UDHS Student Honored by Commonwealth for Medical Fundraising
Sophomore Emily Zauzmer, a lifelong food allergy sufferer, was honored with a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for her creative method of fund-raising.

September 30: Test Scores Increase at UD Elementary SchoolsUpper Dublin School District has released its annual report on standardized test scores.

September 12: Video: Germantown Academy Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New Buildings
Trustees, faculty, students, parents and donors were on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for new high school and middle school buildings.

August 16: Seven Recognized for Saving Life of Upper Dublin Student
Seven individuals, ranging from school staff to paramedics, were honored at Monday's UDSD school board meeting, for saving the life of a female student on May 31.

July 28: Whiz Kid: Noah Carver Selected For ExxonMobil Science Camp
Upper Dublin resident Noah Carver was one of the 50 students to attend The Exxon Mobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp.

June 17: UDHS Science Teacher Named Finalist for 2011 Presidential Teaching Award
Upper Dublin High School science teacher Richard Schmidt has been selected as one of three finalists for the 2011 Presidential Teaching Award.

June 14: Gallery: 57th Senior Class Graduates from UDHS
The Upper Dublin High School class of 2011 graduated Monday, June 13, in Cardinal Stadium.

June 4: Sandy Run Faculty and Students Receive Top Prizes for Environmental Ideas
Teacher Michael Nelms, students, recognized for efforts.

May 6: Upper Dublin Students Bring Home Hardware from Greenfield Film Festival
The prestigious festival had its most successful year yet.

April 17: Local Look: Crossing Guard John Nuneviller Sets the Standard for Safety
Upper Dublin crossing guard John Nuneviller has been keeping students safe for six years.

April 7: Viewfinder: Science Takes Center Stage at Jarrettown Elementary Fair
The fifth annual Jarrettown Elementary Science Fair provided the community with a night full of great science, and Patch cameras were there to to capture it.

February 17: Viewfinder: Upper Dublin Wing Bowl 2011
This year's competition raised money for the Jimmy 'V' Foundation for Cancer Research.

January 31: Video: Upper Dublin gets look at new high school during community open house
The brand new Upper Dublin High School building opened its doors to the public Saturday, Jan. 29, and visitors were treated to tours and a showcasing of the new facility.

January 21: Video: Upper Dublin Robotics Initiative on the move
The UDRI, an after school program promoting engineering and technology, is finding success in both competitions and its mission to bring science into the community.

• Click here to see the top 'Arts' headlines from 2011.
  
• Click here to see the top 'Business headlines from 2011.
• Click here to see the top 'Crime' headlines from 2011.
• Click here to see the top 'Education' headlines from 2011.