Watchung Hills Student Returning to Chemistry Olympics Tryouts

A Watchung Hills Regional High School student has qualified to compete for a possible spot on the United States team in the 45th International Chemistry Olympiad in Russia in July.

Senior Jessica Xu has qualified to compete for one of the four open spots on the team that will represent the United States in Moscow July 15 through July 24 for a second year in a row.

According to a release from the American Chemical Society, this is the second time Xu has been identified as one of the top 20 chemistry students in the nation to possibly be on the team.

Xu will next spend two weeks at a chemistry study camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, and the four members of the team will be named at the end of it.

The competition to make the team began with a three-part exam that is taken by more than 12,000 high school students in the country.

Xu took that test and earned an opportunity to take the National Chemistry Olympiad test afterward. She made it to the final top 20 of chemistry students in the country, and will head to the camp June 4 through June 19.

Xu said she is looking forward to going to the camp.

“I think what is even more important than the chance to make the international competition is the opportunity to meet the incredible people at camp,” she said. “I can’t wait to meet more people and enjoy the chemistry experience with them.”

While at the camp, Xu will have college and graduate level training in chemistry with lectures, problem solving exercises, lab work and more.

If Xu is chosen as part of the team, she will be competing at the Olympiad, against teams from more than 70 different countries.

“Having peers to share the passion is an incredible experience,” she said. “Making it to the Olympiad camp is a great honor. I am very thankful to all the excellent teachers and the science program in my school.”