Ten Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students have been named regional finalists or semifinalists in the prestigious Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology.
   James Pinkerton and Rafael Setra, both from Montgomery Blair High School, were named regional finalists, meaning they are invited to compete at one of six regional events held in November. They are the only two students from Maryland invited to compete in the regionals. Winners of the regional events will compete at the national finals in Washington D.C., December 3-6, with a chance to win the top prize of a $100,000 college scholarship.
   Eight students from Montgomery Blair, Walter Johnson and Poolesville high schools were named semifinalists in the Siemens competition (listed below). Only three other Maryland students were named semifinalists.
   The Siemens Competition is held each year to highlight outstanding high school students in the areas of sicence, mathematics and technology. This year, 2,033 students registered to enter the competition, with a total of 1,372 projects submitted. Nationally, 312 students were named semifinalists and 94 were named regional finalists, representing 36 states.
   Administered by the College Board, students in the Siemens Competition are vying for college scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $100,000, in individual and team categories.
   For more information on the Siemens Competition, visit www.siemens-foundation.org.

MCPS Siemens Competition Semifinalists

Raja Ratna Ayyagari, Poolesville High School
Andrew Das Sarma, Montgomery Blair High School
Shilpa Kannan, Montgomery Blair High School
Nilay Kumar, Montgomery Blair High School
Annie Lin, Walter Johnson High School
Winston Liu, Montgomery Blair High School
Lucienne Park, Poolesville High School
Tingrui Zhao, Walter Johnson High School