This year, 11 St. John Paul II Catholic High School students participated in the Alabama Science & Engineering Fair. Three students won special awards.

One student to receive recognition was Brianna Wilkinson, Class of 2028, for her beet infection entry. She won the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University Biological Sciences

Award in Cell, Molecular, Microbiology and Biochemistry. The award recognizes an outstanding poster in the cell, molecular, microbiology and biochemistry category by a high school student.

Wilkinson received a certificate and a $200 cash award.

Elle Prasthofer, Class of 2027, entered H2 Go: Soil Water Retention and won the Department of Geosciences at Auburn University Geosciences Award. The award recognizes high achievement in the area of geoscience, geology, and geography. Prasthofer received a certificate and a $200 cash award.

The third student to be recognized was Evelyn Creehan, Class of 2028. She entered Microbiome Busters. The entry received the Associate Dean for Research, College of Sciences and Mathematics at Auburn University Innovation in Science Research Award, which recognizes an innovative topic or innovative approaches in research methodologies for a science project. 

Creehan received a certificate and a $200 cash award.

Speaking of the fair, the school’s science teacher, Brian Finzel, noted, “I was extremely pleased at how well all eleven JPII students represented our school at the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair.”