PORTSMOUTH, OH – Valley High School’s academic prowess continues to shine as they take home the top prize at the 2024 South Central Ohio Regional Science Bowl. This impressive win marks their second regional championship in the past three years, solidifying their place as a science powerhouse in the region.
The annual competition, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is a prestigious event that draws high school teams from across the region. This year’s iteration, held on March 1st at Shawnee State University, saw participation from 18 schools and a total of 32 teams representing Scioto, Pike, Ross, and Jackson counties.
Established in 1991, the National Science Bowl serves as a crucial platform for fostering interest in STEM fields among students. With over 344,000 participants throughout its 34-year history, it stands as one of the nation’s most prominent science competitions.
Expressing immense pride in all participating students, Portsmouth Site Lead Jeremy Davis from the DOE commended their dedication and hard work. He further extended special congratulations to Valley High School, commending their exceptional performance and wishing them the very best as they advance to the National Finals.
The competition format allows for participation by up to three teams per school. While Valley High School’s first-place victory stands out, the dedication of other teams is also noteworthy. Minford’s team 2 secured a strong second-place finish, while Valley’s team 1 and Northwest’s team 2 made it to the semifinals, showcasing the overall strength of the participating schools.
Valley High School Coach Justin Howard expressed his team’s excitement about the win and their pride in all participants’ hard work. He emphasized their commitment to putting their best foot forward and representing their region at the Nationals.
The success of the event wouldn’t be possible without the invaluable contributions of over 60 volunteers. Representatives from the DOE, Fluor-BWXT, Enterprise Technical Assistance Services, and Mid-American Conversion Services played critical roles as moderators, timekeepers, judges, and runners, ensuring the smooth operation of the competition.
Kliss McNeel, FBP Deputy Site Director, acknowledged the teamwork that made the event a resounding success. He praised the collaborative spirit of the team at the site and highlighted the remarkable achievements made possible through their dedication to serving the community.
This year marks the 12th time the DOE has hosted the regional competition. With their victory, Valley High School’s “Valley Indians” have earned the prestigious honor of representing their region at the National Finals Tournament, scheduled to take place from April 25th to 29th in Washington, D.C. As they head to the national stage, the entire community extends its best wishes to the team, hoping they bring home another championship title.
