Two Blazers to compete at Carnegie Mellon on Nov. 17 and 18

Two Blair students were chosen as regional finalists in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology based on original research projects they completed, and will proceed to compete in regional competition held at Carnegie Mellon University.

Victoria Yao and Jeffrey Guo were announced as regional finalists on Oct.30. Tomorrow and the day after, on Nov. 17 and 18, they will continue to the next round of the competition and compete at Carnegie Mellon University, against students from 20 states, for a chance to go the finals in New York City in early December. Blair has not had a regional finalist since Stanley Wang in 2004.

In order to enter the competition, which is open only to high school seniors, students completed an original research project and submitted it before an Oct. 2 deadline.

Finalist Victoria Yao is "happy" with her success, but "does not know what to expect" at the regional final competition.

"[Guo and Yao] both did an outstanding job. I am overwhelmed and pretty proud," said both finalists' mentor Glenda Torrence.

Both Blair students that reached the regional finalist stage of the competition will receive a $1000 dollar scholarship. They will be expected to give an oral presentation in front of a panel of judges at Carnegie Mellon and will be judged on the content of their project and effectiveness of their presentation and abstract. Each regional finalist earns $2000 for the school, which totals to $4000 used by Blair towards improving its math, science and technology programs. Winners of regional competitions receive a $3000 scholarship and have a chance to acquire the $100,000 grand prize in the final competition.

The Siemens Competition aims to recognize exceptional original research projects done by students around the country and selects approximately 300 projects selected as regional semifinalists each year.