Blair ties New York school for most Intel semifinalists in the nation

Twelve Blair seniors were selected as semifinalists in the 65th annual Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS), according to a Jan. 11 Intel press release. Blair tied for the most semifinalists in the country with Ward Melville High School in East Setauket, NY.

Although Blair was the only school representing Montgomery County, there were 15 total semifinalists from Maryland, with two coming from the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and one from River Hill High School in Clarkesville. Seven students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, VA, were chosen as semifinalists.

Blair's 12 Intel seminfinalists.
Photo courtesy Dennis Heidler.

Blair had the most semifinalists in last year's competition, with thirteen semifinalists moving on. In 2004, Blair finished second to Stuyvesant High School in New York City for most in the nation. Stuyvesant had eight semifinalists this year.

This year's 300 semifinalists were chosen from 1,558 entrants representing 486 high schools in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and an overseas school. In reviewing Intel STS entries, judges examined each entrant's research ability, creative thinking and scientific originality. Research covered "all disciplines of science including biochemistry, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, behavioral science and medicine and health," according to the press release.

Each semifinalist will be awarded $1,000 as well as a matching amount going to their school.

On Jan. 25, forty finalists will be selected to attend the Intel Science Talent Institute from March 9-14, 2006, in Washington, D.C., where they will compete for $530,000 in scholarship money. The top ten finalists will be honored at a black-tie banquet and awards ceremony on March 15, with the first overall finalist receiving a $100,000 scholarship.

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Fantastic job, all of you. It's good to see that the Magnet continues to be nationally renowned for our research work. You may take it for granted now, but it will become clear to everyone in all of your ensuing college years what a great experience it is to go to Blair. And that doesn't just go for the semifinalists.

I wish you the best of luck in the finals. '05 had 4 (or 5, depending on how you count) finalists. You know you want to top us.