In a groundbreaking achievement for District 202, Plainfield East High School students have made district history by capturing top honors at the Science Olympiad Illinois Individual State Tournament.
PEHS juniors Zoe Lee and Aleena Yousuf were crowned state champions in Material Science, while sophomore Ira Chakraborty and Yousuf also took home the state championship title in Optics.
Their extraordinary accomplishments mark the first individual state champions in Science Olympiad, not only for PEHS, but also in the history of the district.
In addition to these state finishers, PEHS juniors Charles Hidalgo and Yousuf earned third place in Chemistry Lab; Beatrice Ordeneza and Lee took third in Disease Detectives; and Kyleah Edison, Lee, and Ordeneza also secured third place in Experimental Design.
Their success came against competition from 44 Illinois schools.
“This is an incredible moment for our Bengals and for all of District 202,” said Rebecca Scott, PEHS head science Olympiad coach and chemistry teacher. “These students have demonstrated tremendous hard work, perseverance, and passion for science. They have set a new standard of excellence for our school and community.”
Plainfield North High School juniors Carson Payne and Kyle Zumstein took home an impressive fourth-place finish in Wind Power.
The Science Olympiad Illinois Individual State Tournament was held on Saturday, April 26 at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake.
“Even more exciting, all these students will be back next school year to defend their titles,” Scott said. I look forward to seeing their incredibly bright futures."