North Bergen High School Students Earn Top Honors at STEM Showcase, Advance to International Competition

Four North Bergen High School students earned top distinctions at the Jersey City Medical Center and RWJBarnabas Health STEM Showcase Awards Ceremony on March 23 at Liberty Science Center, competing against more than 400 participants.

Superintendent Dr. George Solter said, “The accomplishments of these students reflect not only their exceptional intellect and dedication, but also the strength of North Bergen’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation. We are incredibly proud of their achievements, and especially of Ana for making history as the first student from our district to advance to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.”

Cristian Leon Lorenzo received a Bronze Medal and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 2026 Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award for research on melanized fungi responses to radiation. His study found Stachybotrys chartarum increased pigmentation and altered growth under UV exposure.

Eduard Culajay Xajil and Melanie Chauca earned Silver Medals for developing a modular siren detection prototype for deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers. Their C++-based system uses visual and haptic feedback, achieving a 68.48 percent success rate with an average latency of 45.18 milliseconds.

Ana Ordonez received a Platinum Award and the Regeneron Biomedical Science Award. She was also named a finalist for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2026, scheduled May nine through May 15 in Phoenix, Arizona. She is the first student from the district to advance to the competition.

Ordonez developed a standardized tactile prescription labeling system with universal disease icons and raised dosage indicators. Her research found the system reduced medication errors and improved compliance compared to text-based labels.

The students are enrolled in the school’s Independent Scientific Research Honors course, taught by Dr. Krista Welz.

Dr. Jared Keshishian, Director of STEM and STEAM, said, “The level of research produced by our students is truly remarkable and speaks to their curiosity, perseverance, and passion for discovery. These projects are not only academically impressive, but they also address real-world challenges with meaningful, innovative solutions. We look forward to seeing Ana represent our community on the international stage.”