Two upper school school students participated in the U.S. Chemistry Olympiad last month, sending a junior, Albert Wu, and a sophomore, Ashvin Swaminathan, on to the second round in hopes of advancing to the third round (20 students from the entire U.S.). The first round of tests were taken by 42 Harker students, with Wu and Swaminathan advancing to the national round with the highest scores. The Olympiad, a multiple choice, free response, and lab-based problem-solving chemistry competition is taken across the U.S. to recognize excellence in the study of chemistry. Harker has a track record of being recognized in the competition and advancing to the further rounds.

Wu and Swaminathan took the national test, which was taken by 900 other students across the U.S., and are both hoping to advance to the same level that Vikram Nathan ’09 advanced to, the study camp. From that level, which consists of two weeks of learning and competition, they are hoping to advance again to represent the United States in the international chemistry Olympiad. Let’s wish them luck and congratulate them and the 40 other Harker students on their outstanding performances in the competition.