Photo Provided Chosen as the top project was that of Luke Kiene, a seventh grade student from East Richland Christian. His project titled “Wind Turbine Blades – Shape and Amperage” received the Belmont College President’s Award. He is pictured here with Paul F. Gasparro, Belmont College president.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — For more than 30 years, students from local schools have displayed their science projects at Belmont College. The halls were recently filled once again with scientific inquiry.

Forty–four students from four local schools competed in the 2025 Ohio Academy of Science Regional Science Day at Belmont College’s Main Campus in St. Clairsville on March 22. This year, there were 10 teams of judges, and this was the third in–person science fair held on campus since 2019. The event is coordinated by Christopher Clantz, professor of natural science.

Students from the following schools participated: Steubenville Catholic Central (Bishop John King Mussio); East Richland Christian Schools — St Clairsville; St. Clairsville Middle School; and Philo High School.

The District Science Fair is for students who have participated in and achieved superior scores in their school fairs or have been selected by their teachers as having exceptional projects. These projects are judged again by more rigorous standards, and the top projects among all displayed are recognized and rewarded with superior ratings and special awards sponsored by a variety of donors. The very top students are then selected to represent the Belmont College region at the state–level competition at The Ohio State University in Columbus.

The following students received superiors at the district fair this year, and as such were eligible to participate in the State Science Day competition:

Steubenville Catholic Central (Bishop John King Mussio):

∫ Clara Andersen — Grade 8 (Plant Sciences)

∫ Anthony Balzano — Grade 7 (Chemistry)

∫ Brendan Bolster — Grade 7 (Chemistry)

∫ Natalie Collins — Grade 7 (Biochemistry)

∫ Layla Meehan — Grade 6 (Plant Sciences)

∫ Joseph Poulin — Grade 8 (Plant Sciences)

∫ Connor Skiviat — Grade 6 (Physics and Astronomy)

East Richland Christian Schools:

∫ Elizabeth Bolen — Grade 6 (Physics and Astronomy)

∫ June Chance — Grade 5 (Chemistry)

∫ Grayson Drewett — Grade 6 (Animal Sciences)

∫ Charles Elliott — Grade 6 (Materials Science)

∫ Ethan Fisher — Grade 5 (Materials Science)

∫ Caleb George Gooch — Grade 6 (Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design)

∫ Luke Kiene — Grade 7 (Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design)

∫ Trenton King — Grade 6 (Chemistry)

∫ Avery McMillen — Grade 5 (Materials Science)

∫ Amos Miller — Grade 6 (Materials Science)

∫ Daisy Miner — Grade 6 (Materials Science)

∫ Jackson Parsons — Grade 6 (Chemistry)

∫ Emi Ross — Grade 5 (Engineering Mechanics)

∫ Savannah Wells — Grade 8 (Chemistry)

∫ Bastian Woods — Grade 5 (Biomedical and Health Sciences)

St. Clairsville Middle School:

∫ Wyatt Mowery — Grade 5 (Animal Sciences)

Chosen as for the Belmont College President’s Award was the project of Luke Kiene, a seventh grade student from East Richland Christian. His project titled “Wind Turbine Blades —- Shape and Amperage” received the Belmont College President’s Award. He also received the Linda and David Dunlap Continuing Project Award.

Also receiving top awards was Emi Ross, a fifth grade student from East Richland Christian, for her project titled “Are Double Stuffed Sandwich Cookies Actually Double Stuffed?” She also received the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority Scholarship; the Belmont College Agriculture and Food Technology Award; and the Fifth grade Award for Excellence.

Daisy Miner, a sixth grade student from East Richland Christian also earned top honors for her project titled “Diaper Absorbency: A Comparison of Three Brands.” She received the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority Scholarship as well as the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh Award.

Other special recognitions and cash awards were also given as follows:

The following students received recognitions from the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh: Anthony Balzano; Charles Elliott; and Trenton King.

∫ The following students received the M.J. Piccin Memorial Award from Belmont College, sponsored by Margaret Piccin: Elizabeth Bolen and Connor Skiviat.

∫ The following students received the Phillip Skinner Memorial Award: Grayson Drewett and Avery McMillen.

Additionally, the following awards were presented:

∫ Linda and David Dunlap Continuing Project Award: Jackson Parsons

∫ Juan Dunlap Alternative Energy Award: Caleb George Gooch

∫ Ohio Soybean Council Foundation Award: Layla Meehan

The following students received Belmont College Awards

for Excellence:

∫ June Chance — Agriculture and Food Technology

∫ Natalie Collins– Agriculture and Food Technology

∫ Bastian Woods — Health Sciences

∫ Wyatt Mowery — Animal Sciences

∫ Clara Andersen — Plant Sciences

∫ Joseph Poulin — Plant Sciences

∫ Brendan Bolster — Chemistry

∫ Savannah Wells — Chemistry

∫ Ethan Fisher — Material Sciences

∫ Amos Miller — Material Sciences

Special thanks to: Belmont College and President Paul F. Gasparro; Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh; Margaret M. Piccin (M.J Piccin Memorial Award); Linda and David Dunlap (Phillip Skinner Memorial Award) (Continuing project award); Mr. Juan Dunlap (Alternative Energy Award); Southeast Ohio Water Environment Association; Ohio Soybean Council Foundation; Ohio Tuition Trust Authority; Belmont Regional Science Fair Council; Judges and Tally room assistants: Dr. Tyler Brown; Dr. Suzanne Clutter; Mrs. Keeley Corrick; Mrs. Tiffany Dobson; Mr. Spencer Echemann; Mrs. Lesa Evans; Mr. Ben Fulton; Mrs. Rita Fulton; Mrs. Theresa Garrett; Dr. Christopher Gooch; Mr. Anthony Miller; Mrs. Danielle Moore; Mrs. Sandy Morelli; Mr. Ed Mowrer; Mr. Matt Mowrer; Mrs. Alisha Parsons; Mrs. Amanda Piegan; Mr. Paul Stecker; Prof. Duane Stutzman; Mrs. Stephanie Tracy; Dr. Carrie White; Mrs. Elaine Wood; and Mrs. Kari Yockey.