The Yorktown Science Research program has had another exceptional year, with students winning not only at local competitions but also on the state, national, and international stages. As the 2023-2024 academic year draws to a close, let’s celebrate the remarkable achievements of these dedicated research students.
After months of hard work and research, the competition season kicked off with Yorktown proudly hosting the Westchester-Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. With over 40 schools participating, the event was a huge success, thanks in large part to the tireless efforts of Science Research teacher advisors Mr. Rubeo and Mr. Seweryn, alongside committed Science Research student volunteers. Particularly noteworthy was the stellar performance of our senior Science Research students, Sofia Nastasi and Eric Song, who qualified for the Upstate JSHS Competition. Eric Song had a second-place finish and had also earned an earlier distinction as a Regeneron Top 300 Scholar. The successful WR-JSHS event will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of Yorktown’s academic calendar in the years to come.
For the rest of the student researchers in the program, the next big competition was the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair held at Somers High School. Yorktown had a strong showing at WESEF, coming home with over 26 impressive awards. Congratulations to all those who won at WESEF!
In addition to WESEF, several students qualified for the New York State Science and Engineering Fair hosted at the Hall of Science, Corona, NY. Among Yorktown’s top qualifiers were Srinatha Duri (Computational Biology), Chinmayi Goyal (Robotics and Intelligent Machines), Amani Gupta (System Software), Eric Song (System Software), and Makayla Winslow (Cellular and Molecular Biology). At the NYSSEF state fair, Srinatha Duri, Amani Gupta, and Makayla Winslow came home with Honorable Mention. Chinmayi Goyal won 2nd place and Eric Song won 1st place (qualifying for the International Science and Engineering Fair held in Los Angeles, California)! Eric Song went on to win 4th place in the Systems Software category at ISEF and 2nd place in the National Security Agency Research Directorate Special Award.
Yorktown also has six science research students who will be going to the International Genius Olympiad competition to be held from June 10-14. The students who have qualified for this competition include Chinmayi Goyal, Amani Gupta, Sophia Luo, Vaishnavi Ravindranath, Makayla Winslow, and Karen Yang. They will be heading to Rochester to compete, rounding off an exciting year for the YHS Science Research program!
Mr. Rubeo, the Science Research teacher, eagerly anticipates celebrating the achievements of the seniors while also looking ahead to the upcoming year. “We have a highly skilled and resilient group of juniors on the horizon,” Rubeo remarked. “Conducting research requires remarkable tenacity and dedication, qualities that are demonstrated by the Yorktown Science Research juniors who have invested significant time and effort into their research over the past year. I’m excited to see what they can do next year.”
Mr. Seweryn commends the diligence of students in the Science Research program and expresses enthusiasm for the incoming sophomores who will embark on their research endeavors, as well as for the freshmen who have joined the program this year. “It promises to be an exhilarating year,” said Mr. Seweryn.
Mr. Rubeo also applauds the numerous varsity athletes and devoted musicians in the program who engage in research simply for the joy it brings. “If you possess an inherent curiosity and a readiness to put in the effort,” echoes Rubeo, “there’s no obstacle to conducting scientific research.”
We are all very excited to welcome the new Science Research students and enthusiastic to finish up another fantastic year!
WESEF Winners List:
- U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Science Champion Award: Elizabeth Kratenstein (Behavioral and Social Sciences)
- “Best in Fair” Yale Science and Engineering Association Award: Chinmayi Goyal (Computer Science)
- Excellence in Medical Research Award: Makayla Winslow (Cellular and Molecular Biology)
- Momentive Solutions for a Sustainable World Award: Olivia Biggs (Biochemistry)
- Momentive Women in Science Award: Vaishnavi Ravindranath (Computational Bio/Biochemistry)
- Excellence in Computer Science and Mathematics Award: Domenick Fedele (Mathematical Sciences)
- Visionary Engineering Award: Amani Gupta (Computer Science), Aidan Hirsch (Engineering)
- Carl Zeiss Microscopy Award: Sophia Luo (Medicine and Health Sciences)
- Leason Ellis Team Project Award: Ryan Lee and Cameron Moreno (Computer Science)
- Creative Approach to Research Award: Melanie Pujols (Behavioral and Social Sciences)
- Fourth Place Awards: Alisha Choudhury (Behavioral and Social Sciences), Emma Howard (Behavioral and Social Sciences), Isabella Depole (Computational Bio/Bioinformatics), Eric Song (Computer Science), Karen Yang (Engineering), Sofia Nastasi (Environmental Sciences), Kaitlyn Sheehy (Medicine and Health Sciences), Adriana Pici (Medicine and Health Sciences)
- Third Place Awards: Johan Kavanal (Behavioral and Social Sciences), Akshayasree Ravi (Behavioral and Social Sciences), Amani Gupta (Computer Science), Abhishek Nair (Engineering)
- Second Place Awards: Melanie Pujols (Behavioral and Social Sciences), Chinmayi Goyal (Computer Science)
