On Saturday, April 5, 2025, the Maine Local Section of the American Chemistry Society hosted the national version of the United States National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) at the University of Southern Maine, Portland. As a result of their outstanding performance on local tests administered in March at area high schools, nine students qualified to take the test. Six of these students qualified to take the National test (seen in the picture left to right are Joshua Hontz, Yarmouth high school Chemistry teacher, Chris Irankunda, Christopher Augur, Emma Shannon, and Sabina Petrucci – all of Yarmouth high school; students Dash Young and Ezra Gabrielson of Cape Elizabeth high school, and Cape Elizabeth high school science teacher, Aysun Simpson).
Students from across the country are also taking this exam and the results of this exam will be tabulated by the National USNCO Committee in Washington, D.C. The highest-ranking students from across the country will then participate in a summer study group, preparing them to take the international version of this test to be administered in Switzerland later this year. Congratulations to these students for their wonderful achievements thus far! We wish them the best of luck as they continue with this exciting venture.
