Plainfield Central Engineering Club Headed To State For 1st Time In School History

PLAINFIELD, IL — A group of students at Plainfield Central High School who participating in the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineers Academic Challenge Team are headed to state for the first time in school history, district officials announced.

The Plainfield Central team, coached by science teacher Debbie Pohlman since 2000, placed fourth at sectionals March 1 through March 11, but its overall score advanced them into the state competition. The 12 students will participate in the state competition virtually from April 4 to April 8.

Plainfield South High School students also participated in the sectionals tournament and placed ninth, according to district officials.

At state, each team member will take two tests in these subjects: biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering/graphics, English, math, and physics.

Through the program, pre-college students get together to explore engineering and science through hands-on, minds-on activities.

The following are the team members and what subjects they're participating in at state:

• William Sanza, senior, computer science and physics
• Justin De Leon, senior, math and physics
• Elliott Liss, senior, biology and chemistry
• Jacob Frosch, senior, math and English
• Jenna Rosas, senior, biology and chemistry
• Simon Snydersmith, senior, physics and engineering/graphics
• Luke Hartzell, senior, engineering/graphics and English
• Connor McMillin, senior, physics and math
• Christopher Andaya, senior, engineering/graphics and English
• Mikayla Kelly, senior, chemistry and biology
• Josiah Fornelli, junior, math and English
• Cooper Bartz, junior, math and English