The American Chemical Society is a non-profit scientific organization that has chapters across the nation. The local chapter’s mission is to promote chemical sciences through education, networking, and community engagement for the benefit of our members and the citizens of the South Plains of Texas.
At the annual banquet, a Frenship High School student and teacher were recognized for their achievements in chemistry. Thomas Wylie, FHS senior, was recognized as a silver medalist in the Local Section Chemistry Olympiad, which qualified him as a National Finalist for the National Chemistry Olympiad.
Wylie stated that it feels good to be the first Frenship Chemistry Olympiad National Finalist.
“Chemistry has been my passion ever since I was introduced to it in 10th grade Pre-AP Chemistry,” said Wylie. “Being able to compete against the best minds in Lubbock has been very rewarding. The feeling of being able to represent my school in such a difficult environment has given me a sense of pride in myself and my school.”
The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad is a multi-tiered competition designed to stimulate and promote achievement in high school chemistry. Top performers at the local level advanced to the National Chemistry Olympiad Exam, which will be administered to over 1,000 students. The 20 top-scoring students from the National Exam spend two weeks at a Study Camp to undergo rigorous training.
Wylie will be taking the National Exam this Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Texas Tech University. The national exam has three parts: a 60-question multiple choice test, an 8-question problem-solving short answer test, and a lab practical. The lab practical gives students a selection of equipment and supplies and asks them to design and carry out experiments to solve the problems presented to them. The test will take around six hours to complete.
“I feel nervous, but I am also very excited for the opportunity to throw myself into the deep end and just compete,” said Wylie. “I have prepared for the competition by having instruction by Mr. Pratt in AP Chemistry as well as watching videos online regarding to various chemistry topics.”
In addition to Wylie’s national qualification, Frenship High School teacher Nancy Schunke was named the South Plains American Chemical Society Outstanding Chemistry Teacher of the Year.
Each year, the South Plains Section of the American Chemical Society recognizes an outstanding chemistry teacher who has demonstrated excellence in the classroom.
Schunke has been at Frenship for five years and an in educator for 28 years. She has a passion for all things science and engineering. Last year, Schunke helped create a STEM outreach program for the Star Wars Celebration Europe.
The love for chemistry runs deep in Wylie and Schunke, this year they came together to start the STEM Club at FHS. Wylie stated he wanted to start the club to help continue to build the Olympiad culture at Frenship.
Schunke will be the sponsor for the upcoming STEM Club and stated that Wylie advocated for the club to bring students interested in academic competitions like the Science Bowl and Chemistry Olympiad together.
“Needless to say, I am so proud of Thomas and what he has accomplished,” said Schunke. “He has enjoyed the process and it working to start a STEM Club here at FHS to get more kids involved in this and other STEM Academic Competitions in the future!”
Good luck this weekend, Thomas!