15 Plano ISD students named semifinalists in National Siemens Science Competition; 2 awarded as regional finalists

On October 18, fifteen Plano ISD students were announced among 498 of their peers across the country as semifinalists in the prestigious Siemens Science Competition. Plano ISD semifinalists were: Brian Nguyen, Plano East Senior High School; Alexandru Spiride, Plano East Senior High School; Team: Adhya Beesam and Shriya Beesam, Plano East Senior High School; Team: Yesh Doctor and Kshitij Sachan, Plano East Senior High School; Joycelyn Yiu, Plano Senior High School; Team: Burzin Balsara and Malav Shah, Plano Senior High School; Ritvik Annam, Plano West Senior High School; Brian Ho, Plano West Senior High School; Nicky Wojtania, Plano West Senior High School; Team: Wenyao Li and Jesse Zou, Plano West Senior High School; Team: David Yue, Jasper High School and Afeefah Khazi-Syed, (Harmony School of Innovation, Fort Worth).

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From this group of 498 semifinalists, 96 will continue on to the next level of competition as regional finalists. This elite group includes two students from Plano ISD — twins Adhya and Shriya Beesam, IB World School students at Plano East Senior High School. Their research project is also a personal passion; with an uncle who struggled with schizophrenia, which was not diagnosed at an early stage, and after his tragic death they saw the need for study in the area of mental health.

Shriya and Adhya will continue competing as regional finalists in one of six regional competitions virtually hosted over three consecutive weekends in November. Winners of the regional events will then advance to the final phase of the competition. National Finals will be held at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., in December where $500,000 in scholarships will be awarded, including two top prizes of $100,000. A complete list of finalists and their projects will be available at www.siemens-foundation.org preceding each regional event held in November.