Sophie Chen of Caddo Magnet High and Leslie Hunter of C.E. Byrd High were selected to join the nation’s most promising young scientists in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2024. Society for Science (the Society) announced the top 300 scholars in the nation’s oldest science and math competition for high school seniors. They will be awarded $2,000 each and their schools will receive $2,000.
The Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars were selected from 2,162 applications from 712 high schools across 46 states, Puerto Rico and 10 other countries. Scholars were chosen based on their outstanding research, leadership skills, community involvement, commitment to academics, creativity in asking scientific questions and exceptional promise as STEM leaders demonstrated through the submission of their original, independent research projects, essays and recommendations.
“Congratulations to Sophie and Leslie for competing with the nation's top STEM scholars in this prestigious program," said Dr. T. Lamar Goree, Superintendent of Caddo Schools. "They've dedicated countless hours to research projects and reports that are aimed at improving society through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics."
The Regeneron Science Talent Search recognizes and empowers young scientists who are generating innovative solutions to solve significant global challenges through rigorous research and discoveries. It provides students with a national stage to present new ideas and challenge conventional ways of thinking.
On January 24, 40 of the 300 scholars will be named Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. The finalists will then compete for more than $1.8 million in awards during a week-long competition in Washington, D.C., taking place March 6-13. Collectively, Science Talent Search alumni have received millions of dollars in scholarships and won Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals, MacArthur Fellowships, and many other accolades.