Isabella Juliano - Mustangs Ahead
(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL)- LRHS Senior Addison Shae has achieved a milestone by being named one of the top 40 finalists in the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS).
The top 40 finalists are already guaranteed to receive at least $25,000, but that number could grow substantially depending on where she finishes — with a top prize of $250,000 available.
Shae not only gains national recognition but also secures a significant scholarship that will support her future academic endeavors.
Shae was announced as one of 300 top scholars (out of nearly 2,500 applicants) on Jan. 8, but now being named as a top 40 finalist made Shae thrilled.
“I was at home, the call came through and I recognized that it was a D.C. area code, and I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, this could be STS,’” said Shea.
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“I started crying. I was so excited,” she added.
Shae and 39 other high school seniors in the U.S. will travel to Washington D.C. to present their research projects in the STS Finals from March 6-12.
Her project, entitled ‘Bowhead Whale Migration Amid Changing Circulation Patterns in the Beaufort Gyre,’ focuses on how the ecosystem of the Arctic Ocean has been impacted by unusual currents.
Much of the credit must go to Shea herself, though. Shae has taken 12 advanced placement classes so far in High School and has scored a five 11 times and a four once.
“I’d be so honored even just to be named more than a (top 40) finalist. I think it’s really indicative of all of the support here at Lakewood Ranch High School because if I didn’t have all of these amazing teachers, like Ms. (Tammy) Harper, who’s my AP Research teacher, and then Ms. (Samantha) Biggs, who’s my AP Seminar teacher, I wouldn’t have created that research paper,” elaborated Shea.
