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Manassas Teen Finalist in Siemens Math, Science Competition on Saturday

Alexa Dantzler of Manassas is a regional finalist in the Siemens Competition in Math Science & Technology.

A young innovator from Manassas will compete in the Siemens Competition in Math Science &Technology on Saturday in Atlanta.

Alexa Dantzler, a senior at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, is a regional finalist in the prestigious competition; she is one of nine contestants from Virginia and one of fewer than 100 in the entire United States, Joseph Giumarra, a spokesman for the Siemens Foundation, said in a press release. 

She'll present her research project on perchloroethylene (PCE), a toxic chemical commonly used in dry cleaning, to judges at the Georgia Institute of Technology during the competition's regional finals.

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The research was driven by her concern about the chemical's potential health risks to humans.

The winner earns a $3,000 scholarship and a trip to the National Finals in Washington, DC at George Washington University Dec. 1-4. There, she'll have a chance to win one of two $100,000 scholarships. 

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“These students have invested time, energy and talent in tackling challenging scientific research at a young age,” said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, president of the Siemens Foundation.  “The recognition they have won today demonstrates that engagement in STEM is an investment well worth making.”

The other eight students from Virginia are:

Rohan Banerjee of Oak Hill and Archis Bhandarkar of Potomac Falls, both juniors at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

Saumil Bandyopadhyay of Glen Allen, a senior at Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies. 

Katie Barufka of Reston, a senior at Langley High School. 

David Lu of Henrico, a freshman at Mills E. Godwin High School.

Jason Li of Blacksburg, a senior at Blacksburg High School.

Nathan Kodama of McLean and Nipun Singh of Oak Hill, both seniors at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

 

 


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