Students excel at PA Junior Academy of Science Competition

PA Junior Academy of Science competitors, pictured L to R: Mariana Marino Escobar, Cruz Sanders, Teagan Hmel, Elaina Donahue, Abby Stack, Autumn Zacherl, Aubrey Popp and Ivan Chen

Eight Seneca Valley Science Honor Society members excelled at the 68th annual Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) competition held at Slippery Rock University on February 22.

Senior Ivan Chen; juniors Elaina Donahue, Abby Stack, Aubrey Popp, Autumn Zacherl and Teagan Hmel; and sophomore Cruz Sanders all received a first-place award and the opportunity to compete at the state competition in May. Miss Sanders also won the Senior High Botany Directors Award.

Additionally, sophomore Mariana Marino Escobar also completed and received a second-place award.

“We are so proud to have such a great, intelligent group of students,” said Ms. Kelly Weston, Seneca Valley Senior High School AP chemistry teacher, science department chair and Science Honor Society advisor.

Entry fees for the regional PJAS competition were funded by the Seneca Valley Foundation (SVF). The Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) is a statewide organization of junior and senior high school students designed to stimulate and promote interest in science among its members through the development of research projects and investigations.