St. Mary’s Students Dominate Regional Science Fair, Advance To International Competition

Prince George’s County Regional Science and Engineering Fair First Place Winners — 1st Place Grand Award Left to Right- Angela Hou (SMC Senior Division (Team)), Abril Esparaza (SMC Senior Division (Team)), and Nathan Nilsson (SMC Junior Division) | Photo Credit: Mark Ragland, President of St. Mary’s County Science and Engineering Fair Board

CALIFORNIA, Md. — After a strong showing at the 65th Annual St. Mary’s County Science and Engineering Fair in January, local students continued to shine at the Prince George’s County Regional Science and Engineering Fair held on March 15, sweeping five of the six total Grand Awards and earning numerous additional accolades.

The regional fair brought together top science minds from across Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties. Thirty-one students represented St. Mary’s County and competed with excellence, proving that innovation and academic excellence are thriving in Southern Maryland.

Prince George’s County Regional Science and Engineering Fair Second Place Winners — 2nd Place Grand Award Left to Right- Donald Belle (PG County Science Fair Director), Diana Wyman (SMC Junior Division), and Audrey Gutekunst (SMC Senior Division) | Photo Credit: Mark Ragland, President of St. Mary’s County Science and Engineering Fair Board

St. Mary’s County students claimed all three Junior Division Grand Awards:

1st Place Grand Award: Nathan Nilsson
2nd Place Grand Award: Diana Wyman
3rd Place Grand Award: Kyler Cotugno

In the Senior Division, the Grand Awards were also largely dominated by St. Mary’s County competitors:

1st Place Grand Award: Abril Esparza and Angela Hou (team project)
2nd Place Grand Award: Audrey Gutekunst

These students now move forward to the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair, taking place May 10-16, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. There, they will compete on a global stage against the best and brightest student scientists from across the world.

Prince George’s County Regional Science and Engineering Fair Third Place Winners — 3rd Place Grand Award Left to Right- Donald Belle (PG County Science Fair Director), Sam Kweskin (PGC Senior Division), and Kyler Cotugno (SMC Junior Division) | Photo Credit: Mark Ragland, President of St. Mary’s County Science and Engineering Fair Board

This year’s achievements follow a successful local fair hosted for the first time at the Southern Maryland Autonomous Research and Technology Building on the campus of the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland in California. That event, held on Jan. 17, saw 135 projects from 142 student participants across the county.

In addition to the Grand Awards, St. Mary’s students brought home numerous Category Awards and Special Awards, many of which came with monetary prizes. Sixteen Junior Division students and 13 Senior Division students earned Special Awards, underscoring the depth and breadth of scientific talent in the county.

Educators, families and community members alike have expressed their pride in the students’ accomplishments. “These young scientists are not just competing—they’re leading,” said one local educator. “They’re asking big questions and offering innovative solutions that show true promise for the future.”

As these students head to Columbus this spring, St. Mary’s County will be cheering them on—confident that their success will continue on the international stage.