U. S. Students Capture Medals In Chemistry Olympiad

For Immediate Release

For further information, contact:
Rob Peterson, 202/872-4067
Theresa Laranang-Mutlu, 202/872-4371

U. S. STUDENTS CAPTURE MEDALS IN CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD

Washington, D.C., July 24 -- Four high school chemistry students, representing the United States in the 29th International Chemistry Olympiad, returned home from Montreal, Canada, with four medals. The announcement was made today by the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society and sponsor of the U.S. team.

Jason Chen of Claremont High School, Claremont, Calif., won a gold medal and placed second overall out of the 184 students participating. This is the highest finish ever for a U.S. student. A Turkish student placed first, and an Iranian student placed third.

Andrew Heckerling of Niles West High School, Skokie, Ill., and Jordan Krall of Harvard- Westlake School, North Hollywood, Calif., won silver medals. Ian Baker of the McCallie School, Chattanooga, Tenn., captured a bronze medal. The U.S. tied for fifth along with Russia, Singapore, and the Ukraine.

The U.S. team members were selected from about 10,000 high school students nationwide. This year's Olympiad involved students from 47 countries competing in a comprehensive five-hour theoretical examination and a five-hour laboratory exam.

Germany, Hungary, and Chinese Taipei were this year's top finishers. Germany gained three golds and a bronze. Chinese Taipei and Hungary each gained two golds, one silver, and a bronze. Representatives from seven countries observed the Olympiad and may send teams next year.

Baker, who will be a high school senior this fall, plans to continue activities such as cross- country track and scuba diving, as well as chemistry. Chen, Heckerling, and Krall are college- bound. Chen plans to major in chemistry or biochemistry at Harvard University. Heckerling anticipates a dual major in chemistry and computer science, also at Harvard. Krall intends to major in chemistry and physics and play shortstop for the baseball team at Amherst College.

Two adult mentors accompanied the U.S. team: Dr. Linda Wood of Lanier County High School, Lakeland, Ga., and Lt. Col. Michael Killpack of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.

The location of the International Chemistry Olympiad changes each year. Next year's Olympiad will be in Melbourne, Australia, from July 5-13, then Thailand in 1999, and Denmark in 2000. In preparation for Thailand in 1999, Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol attended this year's Olympiad. She is the crown princess of Thailand and a Ph.D. chemist.

The U.S. team is principally funded by the American Chemical Society Othmer Olympiad Endowment, with additional support from the U.S. Air Force Academy, IBM Research, Merck Publishing Group, and Texas Instruments Inc.

####
The American Chemical Society, founded in 1876, is the World's largest scientific society, with more than 152,000 members.