Soaring Eagle students win at regional science and engineering fair; one advances to nationals

Courtesy photo/Dr. Christine Celestino, JDCHS

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Juan Diego Catholic High School students competed in this year's University of Utah Science and Engineering Fair. Not shown is Jacob Galang, who was being interviewed when the photo was taken.

April van der Sluys

DRAPER — The Juan Diego Academy of Sciences, in its 13th year, is a unique program in which Juan Diego Catholic High School students work in research labs conducting cutting-edge research in pharmacy, chemistry, genetics, environmental science, engineering and epidemiology.

Over the summer months, JDCHS students participate in a long-standing summer internship program with the University of Utah College of Pharmacy. This experience has led to many Soaring Eagle students having their works published and has paved the way for future career opportunities.

This year, 16 Juan Diego Academy of Sciences students, led by Dr. Christine Celestino, director of faculty development and the Academy of Sciences at JDCHS, competed at the regional University of Utah Science and Engineering Fair, which is a qualifying fair for the national and international competitions. Students were honored for their work in various areas of both science and engineering. Among them was senior Alea Pindat-Kahele, who is the first Juan Diego student to advance to the National GENIUS Olympiad Competition.

Following is a list of Juan Diego Catholic High School students and their awards.

Taylor Apgar: 2nd place Biology and Microbiology Division

Yesue Carter: Society for In vitro Biology Award

Natalia Cyriac: ACCESS Scholarship Nomination, National Association for Women Geoscientists Award, Stockholm Junior Water Prize, Salt Lake Chapter Women Geoscientists Award

Jacob Galang: 2nd place Chemistry and Biochemistry Division

Andrew (AJ) LeFort: 3rd place Chemistry and Biochemistry Division

Weijun (Wayne) Liang: 2nd place Chemical and Physical Energy Division, United States Air Force Award

Alea Pindat-Kahele: 2nd place, Earth and Environmental Sciences Division, ACCESS Scholarship Nomination, Red Butte Garden Excellence in Plant Science Award, GENIUS Olympiad Finalist

Megan Selmer: U of U Health Division of Infectious Disease Award, 4th place Chemistry and Biochemistry Division

Skyla Ulrick: ACCESS Scholarship Nomination

Sarah Wilkins: Office of Naval Research Award, 2nd place Behavioral and Social Sciences Division

April van der Sluys is director of advancement at Juan Diego Catholic Schools.