Smithtown HS East Student Places 2nd In National Science Contest

ST. JAMES, NY — Jolene Cao, a student of Smithtown High School East, won second place in the National American Chemical Society Illustrated Poem Contest, the Smithtown School District announced.

In celebration of National Chemistry Week, the American Chemical Society sponsored an Illustrated Poem Contest. In 40 words or less, contestants were challenged to write an illustrated poem centered on the theme of "The Healing Power of Chemistry." Entries were judged on the quality of their poem, the imagery of their artwork and the creativity of their overall submission.

Cao crafted a submission because of her passion for chemistry. She single-handedly created a Chem Club at East, and she strives to spread the wonders of chemistry to her peers.

"Chemistry is the central science," said Maria Zeitlin, the Smithtown HS East ThINK discovery research coordinator, in a news release. "From polymers to drug delivery, we owe many of our modern healthcare marvels to the wonders of chemistry."

For her win, Jolene will receive $150.