Dramatic music, pulsing blue lights and more than 200 beyond-excited students and their guests set the stage for a thrilling 2025 Regeneron Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF) Awards Ceremony at Somers High School on Thursday, March 20.
“What an incredibly exciting evening!” said Dr. Laurie Morton, Senior Vice President of Research at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, who announced the WESEF 2025 finalists. “The top 20 finalists win the opportunity to compete against the best research students from all over the world at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair,” she said. “It’s called the Olympics of science fairs.”
When Dr. Morton said, “In Behavioral and Social Sciences, from John Jay High School, Matt Casavant!” the Wolves’ cheers were heard in the auditorium and in homes across Katonah-Lewisboro that were livestreaming the event.
Matt’s recognition that evening for his project on personalized nature virtual reality would not be his only win that week. He presented his research on March 25 at the NYS Science and Engineering Fair at the NY Hall of Science in Queens and earned second place!
Science Research teacher Dr. Lisa Papernik said: "Matt’s tremendous drive and dedication have been evident at every stage of his science research project, from his idea of testing whether personalizing nature-based virtual reality would improve mental health to his strength in conveying the significance of his findings at science research symposia."
“Matt's careful planning and project design in sophomore and junior year paid off with excellent results,” said Science Research teacher Krista Munger. “His experiment's novelty and success really impressed the judges and anyone else who hears about his project.”
The 20 Grand Prize Winners gathered on stage, beaming. Their smiles got even bigger as WESEF Director Michael Blueglass said, “I present to you the 2025 WESEF Finalists,” and hundreds of blue and white balloons were released directly above them.
Nine John Jay High School students received awards at the WESEF awards ceremony:
Matthew Casavant: Grand Prize winner advancing to ISEF (International Science and Engineering Fair) and 1st place Behavioral Science
Hadley Courtenay: 2nd place Behavioral Science
Dakota Cameron: 3rd place Environmental Science
Nina Vigil: 3rd place Environmental Science
Emma Barniv (Environmental Science): Teatown Young Environmentalist Award for Outstanding projects that aim to protect habitats and/or ecosystems
Aminata Gueye (Environmental Science): NASA Earth System Science Award: Projects that offer insight into Earth’s interconnected systems
Austin Omin (Neuroscience): NOAA Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award: Projects whose research emphasizes NOAA's mission of Science, Service and Stewardship
Felix Poydar (Environmental Science): U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize for Outstanding projects in water-science
Cicely Schembri (Plant Science): Environmental Perspiration Award: Awarded to recognize dedication and perseverance in conducting work in the environment
“John Jay High School’s Science Research program is a crowning jewel in the District,” said Superintendent Ray Blanch. “The students’ curiosity and their drive to find solutions to real world problems exemplifies the knowledge and skills we aim to foster in all our students. Congratulations to all the SciRe participants and their advisors!”