Academic Team Members Continue to Excel
For the fifth straight year, Saint Viator students excelled at a STEM competition that challenged them with college-level math and science tests. Now called ACES, or Academic Challenge in Engineering and Science, and sponsored by Eastern Illinois University, Saint Viator’s team placed a close third at sectionals, right behind Vernon Hills and Carmel Catholic high schools.
Several students led the team with their individual placements:
Biology: Callie Mulligan - tied for 2nd place; David Lavender - 3rd place
Chemistry: May Liu - 2nd place; He Bai - 3rd place
Computer Science: Andrew Bremner - tied for 3rd place
Engineering Graphics: Katie McManaman - tied for 3rd place
English: Daniel Fecko - tied for 2nd place; Olivia Gauthier - tied for 2nd place; Kathleen Hannon - 3rd place
Math: Jayne Bottarini - 3rd place
Physics: He Bai - 2nd place
These students now await news as to whether they will advance to the online state competition.
"This is a hard-working, self-motivated group of students who had practiced and prepared for the original sectional competition, which had to be canceled,” says Mrs. Gina Horne, science teacher, and team moderator. “When given the opportunity to compete online, they didn’t hesitate. I’m proud of their willingness to compete and the way they represented Saint Viator.”
The rest of the team includes:
Bryce McDonnel Keely McClennen
Jack Cambria Matthew Oleksyk
Austin Jones Eric Ryu
Hannah Klimas Sarah Schultz
Nathan Kochera Nick Yustin
Abigail Longstreet
This was the second year that the Physics Department and Pre-Engineering Program at Eastern Illinois University offered the test-based competition. They took it over from the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois, which ran it for nearly 40 years under its prior name, Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering.
Its goal has always been to foster excellence in mathematics and science. Ultimately, the college professors behind it hope to attract a greater number of talented and diverse students to careers in engineering and the sciences.
The Academic Challenge offers tests in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering graphics, English, mathematics, and physics. Tests are designed to present a challenge to the brightest high school students and are presented in multiple-choice format.
Students have 40 minutes to complete tests that range in length from 30 questions (computer science and math) to 80 questions (English).
Though the name and sponsoring university has changed, Saint Viator students continue to enjoy the challenge. Traditionally they have scored well and advanced to the state level competition, where the test material gets ramped up to an even more difficult level.
Saint Viator High School
Located in Arlington Heights, IL, Saint Viator High School is a private, co-ed, Catholic school for grades 9-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.