In May 2024, the Lehigh Valley Chapter awarded five $2,000 scholarships to local high school seniors, who were accepted to engineering programs.
Leon Chen
Leon graduates from Parkland High School this year with plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study electrical engineering and computer science. For the past four years, he’s helped out daily at his family restaurant, China Wok, in Schnecksville. In terms of academics, Leon is a high honors student, an AP scholar, and a Lehigh University scholar. He is the Math League president, leading Parkland to place 2nd out of 95 in the state in the 2022-2023 school year. He also scored in the top 2.5% nationwide in the American Mathematics Competition (AMC), qualifying him for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). Moreover, he is the vice president of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), the vice president of Science National Honor Society, a Chief Science Officer, and a competitor for Parkland’s Science Olympiad, Computer Club, and Physics Club. On top of this, he has earned several awards, whether it be qualifying for FBLA nationals, securing silver twice on the National Spanish Exam, or producing a documentary that earned his group third place at the state-level National History Day competition. Outside of academics, he prioritizes giving back to the community. Leon is an officer in the Young Scientist Science Fair program, in which he has guided more than 140 local 6th-graders through the science fair process. In it, he helps them research, design, and present a project. Additionally, in the summer of 2022, he virtually instructed more than 25 underprivileged students in India in subjects ranging from algebra to Python. In his free time, Leon enjoys reading, working out, and playing casual soccer and badminton with friends.
Aidan Doyle
Aidan is the son of Jennifer and Kevin Doyle and will be graduating from Emmaus High School. He plans to attend Purdue University in the fall to study engineering. Aidan is a high honors student, a National Merit Scholarship Honorable Mention, an AP scholar with distinction, an Eagle Scout, and a member of the National Honor Society. He was the trumpet section leader in the high school marching band, and also participated in the jazz ensemble, brass ensemble, pit orchestra for the musical, and Tri-M Music Honor Society. Additional extracurriculars he has been a part of are Key Club, Peer Tutoring, and Math League Club. Aidan also has held part time jobs at Dorney Park and Cracker Barrel over the last two years. In his free time, Aidan likes to spend time with friends and family, listen to music, and exercise.
Sara Oligino
Sara is the daughter of Thomas and Jessica Oligino and will be graduating from Easton Area High School. She plans to attend The Ohio State University, majoring in Biomedical Engineering as a part of the Scholars Program. Sara is in the top 1% of her class, a high honor roll student, an AP Scholar with honor, and National Honor Society President. Sara participates in Varsity Cross country and both indoor and outdoor track and field, where she acts as Varsity Captain. She is also a member of the student council, Vice President of Easton Hero Squad, a Leukemia Lymphoma Society Student Visionaries of the Year candidate, Public relations co-head of Minithon, a member of the health sciences club, as well as section leader and historian in her school’s marching band where she plays the trumpet. She volunteers for Special Olympics and as a counselor for Camp Invention and Varsity E camp. In her free time, she enjoys baking, photography, and graphic design.
Ellyn Wong
Ellyan is a senior at Nazareth Area High School. She will be pursuing materials science and engineering with a focus on biomimetic materials at Johns Hopkins University. She is interested in observing the natural world to find sustainable engineering solutions. Ellyn is an avid reader and curious student. Outside of academics, she can be found hiking at state parks, dancing in theatre, running hive inspections, and creating wheel-thrown pottery pieces. Additionally, Ellyn would like you to know this fun fact: the flapping of bees’ wings creates a positive electrostatic force, which attracts negatively charged pollen particles. Thus, if bees fly close to a flower, the pollen flies towards their bodies. Amazing!
Rishab Yanala
Rishab is the son of Ranadheer and Prashanti Yanala and the brother of Rohan Yanala. He will be graduating from Parkland High School. He plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall and major in Biomedical Engineering. Rishab is the President of the Tedx Club, a Lehigh University High School Scholar, and a National Merit Finalist. He is a Future Business Leaders of America National Finalist in the Business Financial Plan category and a National History Day State Medalist. He enjoys conducting scientific research in the renewable energy field and has presented his work at various science competitions. For other extracurriculars, he is a member of Scholastic Scrimmage, Strolling Strings, and Science Fair Clubs. In his free time, he likes to read books, play the violin, and volunteer at the Da Vinci Science Center.