Rockingham County Public Schools (RCPS) students turned in a record-breaking performance at the recent Shenandoah Valley Regional Science & Engineering Fair (SVRSEF), held annually at James Madison University. This year's competition marked a milestone for the division, the largest group of RCPS students ever to compete in the fair's history, according to Tammy Stone, STEM, Challenge, and Science Supervisor for RCPS.
"What a great day at the science fair!" Stone said. "So proud of our RCPS students excelling in science."
The fair brings together middle and high school students from across the Shenandoah Valley to showcase their research and compete for awards, with top finishers earning the opportunity to advance to the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair. This year's state fair is scheduled for April 10–11, 2026, at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville. Judges at the regional fair include STEM faculty and professionals from institutions such as JMU, Bridgewater College, Eastern Mennonite University, MERCK, and SRI.
Award Winners and Participants
Broadway High School Lab School
Eleanor Coffman and Isabel Steinbach earned 1st Place in their category and qualified as State Fair competitors. Teammates Leah Forry and Dixie Moyers took 3rd Place in their category. Max Fletcher, Cameron Shifflett, and Lincoln Billhimer participated in the Animal and Plant Science category. Ava Custer and Kynlee Shipe participated in the Medical Science.
Broadway High School and Massanutten Regional Governor's School (MRGS)
James Gerst (BHS) participated in the Environmental Science category. Gerst earned 1st Place in his category, received the Virginia Lakes and Watershed Association Award, and is a State Fair qualifier. The Virginia Lakes and Watersheds Association (VLWA) is a nonprofit that presents special awards at regional science fairs across Virginia for research related to stormwater, water quality, and watershed investigations.
East Rockingham High School and MRGS
Kennedy Voight participated in the Animal and Plant Science category.
Spotswood High School
Gabriela Davies won the Navy Award for Outstanding Research. Evelin Yo earned 2nd Place in her category. Mihika Rout took 1st Place in the Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association (AFCEA) International Microbiology Award, along with 3rd Place in her category. Samuel Syptak earned 3rd Place from AFCEA International Microbiology Award.
Spotswood High School and MRGS
Omar Mahmood participated in the Computer Science and Mathematics category, placing 3rd and receiving the 3rd Place AFCEA International Award. Zishaan Mahmood competed in the same category, earning 2nd Place and the 2nd Place AFCEA International Award. Mateo Mousa took 1st Place in Computer Science and Mathematics and is a State Fair qualifier. Kiernan Sheahan competed in the Engineering and Physics category, placing 2nd and receiving the 3rd Place AFCEA International Award for Engineering.
Turner Ashby High School
Parker Young won 1st Place in the Stockholm Water Prize and will advance to the next round of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition. Young's achievement represents the highest water-related award presented at the fair.
Wilbur Pence Middle School
Molly Hylton and Henley Higgs earned 1st Place from AFCEA International Award for Behavioral sciences, along with 2nd Place in their category. Madelyn Gilkenson won 3rd Place in Health and Medicine.
J. Frank Hillyard Middle School
Leah Siler and Noah Barb participated in the Animal and Plant Science category.
Four RCPS students have qualified for the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair on April 10–11, 2026: James Gerst, Eleanor Coffman, Isabel Steinbach, and Mateo Mousa.
Parker Young will advance to the Stockholm State Competition, having earned the highest water-related award at the regional fair.
Stone credited the achievement to the students' dedication and the support of their teachers and advisors. "Thank you to their advisors and teachers," she said.
