Intel Semifinalists in Congressional Record

Not only have two Half Hollow Hills students been chosen as semifinalists in the country's most prestigious science competition, the Intel Science Talent Search, but now their names will be remembered in United States history.

Rep. Steve Israel, D-Dix Hills, presented Malini Desai, 17, from and Hannah Kenagy, 17, from with a Congressional record statement he made at Oheka Castle in Huntington over the weekend. The statement names each of the local semifinalists so that their achievement will be etched into the country's memory forever.

The young researchers were among 300 students chosen from a pool of 1,839 young minds competing in the The Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS).

Though they did not move on to the finalists round, their semifinalist positions will earn them each $1,000. Both high schools will also receive that amount in recognition of outstanding teaching, and to support further excellence in science, math and/or engineering education.

"...Our Long Island contestants embody the true American spirit of innovation and problem solving. Their sacrifice, patience and determination are instrumental in keeping competitive edge in a global economy," Israel said in his statement.

Kenagy was selected for her project, Understanding the Pathogenesis of Acid-Resistant E. coli: Computational Modeling of pH-Dependent Conformational Changes in GadB and Desai was chosen for the project, Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation Methodologies Applied to Components of Pyrolysis Oil.