A group of 12 Upper School students traveled to Missouri over spring break to compete in the 10th annual Washington University Chemistry Tournament, earning strong results in a national field of high school competitors.

The Washington University Chemistry Tournament, held each April on the Danforth campus of Washington University in St. Louis, brings together students from across the country for a day-long series of rigorous chemistry exams and collaborative challenges. This year’s event drew 159 students representing 12 states, divided into two competitive tracks: Division Lowry for experienced competitors and Division Bronsted for newcomers.

Designed and organized by undergraduate students and faculty, the tournament emphasizes real-world applications of chemistry while fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills.

St. Margaret’s Upper School students competed across four events: an individual exam, a paired topic exam, a team-based test, and “Breaking Bonds,” a fast-paced, live-scored problem-solving competition. The format challenged students to demonstrate both technical knowledge and collaborative strategy under time pressure.

Upper School students team 1 (Division Lowry) included Robin Wang '26, Riley Bredall '27, Val Karmis '27, Amy Yao '27, Martin Kovachev '28, and Jessica Zhang '28. Team 1 received fifth place in Breaking Bonds.

Team 2 (Division Bronsted) included Jay Greaser '28, Maddux Labovitch '28, Megan Mohler '28, Jinbo Yao '28, Jimmy Ye '28, and Owen Wang '29. 

Team 2 had multiple successes in their division, including first place in Breaking Bonds, first place in Chemistry of Laser topic exam (Jay and Maddux), and Jay received first place in the individual exam. With outstanding performance in multiple sessions, Team 2 won the Director's Award, the overall first place team for Division Bronsted.

St. Margaret’s Upper School students competed against top schools widely known for their strength in science and academic competitions such as Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology (TJHSST), William Mason High School, and Troy High School. 

“Our students represented the school with great enthusiasm, teamwork, and dedication, and we are incredibly proud of their performance and accomplishments,” remarked Andrea Chou, Upper School chemistry teacher. 

In addition to the competition, the trip offered academic and cultural enrichment opportunities. Several students visited the St. Louis Science Center and the Gateway Arch. The group also connected with Katie Meggers ‘25, a St. Margaret’s alumna and former tournament participant, who led them on a campus tour and shared her experiences.

The annual tournament, first held in 2016, continues to grow as a platform for aspiring scientists to test their skills, connect with peers, and explore future academic pathways in chemistry.