By Gino Gutierrez / Journal Staff Writer
Four students were awarded the opportunity to attend the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, which is taking place next month in Los Angeles. Among the four selected were brother and sister Akilan and Sowmya Sankaran.
The siblings, who have shared a common love for the STEM field since they were young, admitted they’ve always had a bit of a sibling rivalry, especially when it comes to academics. Sowmya Sankaran said she’s always looked up to her older brother and his work in science fair projects.
“I watched him go through the process of middle and high school science fairs when I was still little, so having a role model to look up to like that has really helped me,” she said.
With Akilan now a junior and Sowmya a freshman at Albuquerque Academy, the siblings said they are looking forward to the opportunity to attend the International Science and Engineering Fair and share their love of STEM with each other and other fair attendees.
“I’m excited to go and interact with people in a diverse range of fields,” Akilan said.
State Qualifiers
Eddy Bielejec ’28
Arjun Ganesh ’25
Dhruv Grandhe ’25
Ahana Koushik ’28
Julian Ng’etich ’30
Akilan Sankaran ’25
Sowmya Sankaran ’27
Top of Category Winners
Junior Division
Eddy Bielejec ’28
Ahana Koushik ’28
Senior Division
Arjun Ganesh ’25
Dhruv Grandhe ’25
Akilan Sankaran ’25
Sowmya Sankaran ’27
Special Award Winners
Eddy Bielejec ’28
Audrey Finkelstein ’27
Arjun Ganesh ’25
Ahana Koushik ’28
Julian Ng’etich ’30
Akilan Sankaran ’25
Sowmya Sankaran ’27
Ellie Wilkinson ’25