Photo: Row 1 (Front): Arianny Nieves, Shreeya Parikh, Marissa Yamulla, Anna Drobnock, Siya Patel, Olivia Moore, Robert Brighthaupt, Andrew Pedri, and Gavin Serock. Row 2: Gavyn Corchado, Kamila Zea, Gabriella Vasquez, Sahiba Kaur, Megan Yamulla, Keirsi Mooney, Riley Mason, Jackson Moore, and Angel Reymunde Wittmer. Row 3: Christina Chrin, Anna Zaroda, Madalynn Young, Sharon Zhuang, Katherine Arias, Justin Park, Ruhani Shah, Lance Lispi, and Denna Stellar. Row 4 (Back): Mr. Michael Mele, Arushi Solgama, Alexis Bleiler, Madelyn Young, Yeleiny Paniagua, Ava Genetti, Cedrah Abdulrahman, and Ms. Michele Tyburski (PJAS Advisor and Science Instructor). Missing from photo: Gabriella Carsia, Kenedy Lutz, Zachary Naugle, and Ian Composto.
Head of School Mrs. Theresa Long is proud to announce that MMI Preparatory School students had an outstanding showing at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) competition that was held on Saturday, February 28, at Wilkes University. MMI’s 37 participating students earned an impressive 29 first-place awards, marking an all-time School high of 83% of presenters securing first-place. MMI students also earned six second-place awards and two third-place awards.
Mr. Michael Mele, MMI’s Science Department Chair and PJAS Advisor, shared his admiration for his students: “This year’s PJAS results highlight the exceptional effort and talent our students bring to scientific research. To earn 29 first awards, along with multiple perfect scores, speaks to both the rigor of their work and their perseverance throughout the process. Securing Excellence Awards in Biology, Botany, and Chemistry, recognitions given to the top project in each category, is especially meaningful. I am incredibly proud of what our students have accomplished and how they represented MMI.”
Among the first-place award recipients, eight students earned perfect scores: Arianny Nieves ’28, Shreeya Parikh ’28, Siya Patel ’28, Ian Composto ’27, Ruhani Shah ’27, Sharon Zhuang ’27, Cedrah Abdulrahman ’26, and Arushi Solgama ’26. Additionally, three students received Excellence Awards, a prestigious recognition given to only 12 upper school and 12 middle school students for demonstrating the highest level of project performance: Siya Patel ’28 (Biology), Cedrah Abdulrahman ’26 (Botany), and Ian Composto ’27 (Chemistry).
Perseverance Awards were earned by the following students for their long-standing involvement with the program: Cedrah Abdulrahman ’26 (4 years), Alexis Bleiler ’26 (3 years), Ava Genetti ’26 (4 years), Yeleiny Paniagua ’26 (4 years), Arushi Solgama ’26 (5 years), and Madelyn Young ’26 (3 years).
All first-place award winners will advance to the state-level competition at Pennsylvania State University’s main campus in May. The following students earned first-place awards and have advanced to the state-level competition: Sahiba Kaur ’30, Riley Mason ’30, Megan Yamulla ’30, Lance Lispi ’29, Keirsi Mooney ’29, Gabriella Carsia ’28, Anna Drobnock ’28, Jackson Moore ’28, Olivia Moore ’28, Zachary Naugle ’28, Arianny Nieves ’28, Shreeya Parikh ’28, Siya Patel ’28, Andrew Pedri ’28, Angel Reymunde Wittmer ’28, Gavin Serock ’28, Marissa Yamulla ’28, Katherine Arias ’27, Christina Chrin ’27, Ian Composto ’27, Ruhani Shah ’27, Anna Zaroda ’27, Sharon Zhuang ’27, Cedrah Abdulrahman ’26, Alexis Bleiler ’26, Ava Genetti ’26, Yeleiny Paniagua ’26, Arushi Solgama ’26, and Madelyn Young ’26.
Second-place awards were earned by: Gabriella Vasquez ’30, Kamila Zea ’30, Robert Brighthaupt ’29, Justin Park ’28, Denna Stellar ’28, and Madalynn Young ’28.
Third-place awards were earned by: Gavyn Corchado ’27 and Kenedy Lutz ’27.
Mrs. Theresa Long noted the importance of being involved in this program: “At MMI, we are committed to providing students with meaningful opportunities to engage in scientific research and discovery. Through hands-on learning and mentorship, our students develop the curiosity and confidence to explore complex questions and share their work at a very high level. Their success reflects both their dedication, the strength of our science program, and our faculty’s commitment to guide every student in their scientific journey.”