Students from Holmdel High School and High Technology High School in Lincroft took home honors and prizes at the 72nd Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF) at Drexel University May 7, held virtually for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Holmdel High School junior Benjamin Lin was one of many local students who received awards and honors at the recent Delaware Valley Science Fair. Benjamin received a silver medal and a partial scholarship to Drexel University.
Junior Benjamin Lin of Holmdel received a first place in chemistry and a silver medal overall for grade 11. Benjamin was also one of five competitors, including junior Bradley Xu from High Tech, to win a partial scholarship to Drexel from the university.
Each year since 1949 students from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware complete STEM research projects in over a dozen categories from chemistry and engineering to microbiology and zoology to compete in the DVSF for scholarships and prize money and a chance to go to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) competition. While the competition portion of this year’s ISEF was canceled because of COVID-19, a virtual event was held May 18 to 22 with select finalists from fairs held before the quarantine showing off their research in virtual category rooms. Finalists from DVSF were not eligible because judging occurred after the ISEF deadline.
The following seniors from Holmdel placed in the competition: Claudia Zhang, first place, biochemistry; Aidan Choo, second place, mathematics; Vrishin Patel, third place, chemistry; and Justin Zhang, third place, computers. In addition to Benjamin, the following juniors from Holmdel placed in the competition: Bill Zhang, second place, biochemistry; Ayan Lateef, third place, mathematics; and Rick Hsu, Lauren Lepore, and Evelyn Toscarelli, honorable mention, behavioral and social sciences.
High Tech juniors Winston Li and Bradley Xu both received first place awards, in the biochemistry and computer categories, respectively. The following sophomores from High Tech also received honors: Micaeli Dym, first place, botany; Kristen Park, first place, computers; Esben Nielsen, second place, botany; Annie Wang, second place, biochemistry; Emily Luo, third place, environmental; Alexander Postovskiy, third place, physics; Aarya Doshi, honorable mention, biochemistry; Brad Miller, honorable mention, botany; Edmond Niu, honorable mention, computers; and Harold Huang, honorable mention, environmental.
Kelly Qiang and Sophie Zhang from High Tech were also named Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Semi-Finalists.
Students who placed first, second and third will receive medals and certificates. Additionally, all first, second and third place winners in the 11th Grade categories receive scholarships from the University of the Sciences.
The article originally appeared in the May 21 – 27, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
