Despite all the challenges of the past year, the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School science research program has thrived. While the students have made so many accomplishments in venues across the state, the most significant accolades are lauded to senior Kiran Ahmad and junior Cathrine Sakin, according to science research advisers Renee Locker and Tracy Wenzler.

In addition to graduating with AP Capstone recognition, the students entered their research projects in both the Long Island Science Congress and the Southeast Asian American Women’s Association science fairs, held virtually this year. The two students received top awards at both competitions including best in chemistry and the Edith M. Stillwaggon award for chemistry at the LISC fair. At the SAAWA fair, Cathrine won first place in the STEM division and Ahmad took second place. Cathrine also won second place in the essay competition. Cathrine was selected to partake this summer in the Girls Who Code computer coding organization. 

Valedictorian Kiran, who is Harvard bound, was recognized by the American Chemical Society’s Project SEED and selected as a science researcher at Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute.