A team of 12 Bolles students participated in the Northeast Florida Regional Science and Engineering Fair (NEFRSEF) on Saturday, February 8. This year’s participants – which notably featured two middle school students – included Dhaani Ailawadhi ’28, Lucas Costas ’28, Sahana Desai ’27, Sona Deshmukh ’29, Lynn Ibrahim ’29, Soumya Kondu ’25, Nitin Mali ’27, Sarah Park ’25, Parker Parrish ’28, Anya Shah ’27, Amanda Tun ’25 and Michael Zhang ’26.

Bolles upper school science teachers Brad Bullington and Dr. Kathryn Halloran accompanied the students as they faced off against their regional competitors. In addition to the young scientists taking home many awards (see below), Costas, Ibrahim, Kondu and Park were selected to represent the region at the State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida (SSEF) coming up March 25-27 in Lakeland.

Ibrahim is the first Bolles middle school student to be selected to compete in the state competition. Park was also selected as one of the six JASON speakers from the 36 regions in Florida to give a motivational speech at the March 26 opening ceremony of the SSEF.

Bullington said he and Halloran are incredibly proud of the Bolles research students and all they have accomplished.

“While not every participant in the regional fair received an award, we want to recognize the dedication and curiosity each student has demonstrated,” Bullington said. “Their commitment to exploring the mysteries of our natural world through independent research is an achievement in itself, and we celebrate their hard work and passion for discovery.”

Congratulations to all our student scientists, and good luck to those advancing to states! #BollesInnovates

Bolles NEFRSEF Results – Junior Division

Lynn Ibrahim ’29 – Biochemistry
Category Placement: 1^st Place
Special Awards: University of Florida College of Medicine Award for Best Junior High Medicine and Health Project

Sona Deshmukh ’29 – Environmental Science
Special Award: Inspiring Excellence Inc. Award for Excellence in Participation in Science Fair (Prize: $50), Haskell Award for Superb Junior Project with Construction Applicability (Prize: $100)

Bolles NEFRSEF Results – Senior Division

Sarah Park ’25 – Medicine and Health
Category Placement: 1^st Place
Special Award: Johnson and Johnson Award for Project Excellence in Medicine and Health (Prize: $50)

Lucas Costas ’28 – Engineering
Category Placement: 2^nd Place
Special Awards: Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Award for Sr. Engineering (Prize: $100), Johnson and Johnson Award for Project Excellence in Engineering (Prize: $25)

Soumya Kondu ’25 – Biochemistry
Category Placement: 3^rd Place