(Freeland, PA – May 9, 2022) – Twenty-two MMI Preparatory School students participated in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) regional competition in March. Thirteen earned first awards (one won twice), six won second awards, and two earned third awards. The first award winners will represent MMI at the state competition at the University Park Campus of Penn State in May.

Khristian Banks and Jessica Zheng received a perfect score. Additional First Award winners were: David Yamulla, Thomas Horvat, Kiyan Paknezhad, Diane Arias-Tejeda, Nathaniel Neidlinger, Jillian McGeehin, Manal Muhammad, Oliva Bartholomew, Amelia Minzola, Dustin Paul, and Grace Warner

MMI’s Second Award winners were: Arushi Solgama, Kendall Orozco, Rachael Betz, Brenna Eckhart, Viva Barrett, Connor Spencer, and Morgan Strecker. 

Third Award winners were: Abigail Sparich and Jason Roberts.  

MMI competes in Region 2 with students from schools throughout Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wyoming, Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties. MMI instructors Amanda Shonk, Melissa McHale, Michael Mele, and Justin Vincent, served as advisors for the competition.

The PJAS competition is open to students in grades 7-12. During the PJAS regional competition, students conduct a scientific research project in one of the 12 Scientific Categories of Research identified by PJAS and then orally present that research to a team of judges. The categories are: Behavioral Psychology, Biology, Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Space, Ecology, Engineering, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics, and Zoology.