Shaler Area students place in National Chemistry Week Illustrated Poetry Contest

Tribune-Review | Thursday, December 2, 2021 8:01 a.m.

photos Courtesy of Shaler Area School District

Shaler Area High School sophomore Alyssandra Poliziani (left) and junior Ciarra Reese (right) placed in the National Chemistry Week Illustrated Poetry Contest.

Two Shaler Area High School students placed in the National Chemistry Week Illustrated Poetry Contest sponsored by the Pittsburgh Section of the American Chemical Society.

Alyssandra Poliziani, a sophomore, won first place in the high school division for her poem about fruit oxidation. Ciarra Reese, a junior, won third place for her poem about catalysts.

Poems could be any style and entries were judged based upon relevance to and incorporation of this year’s theme, “Fast or Slow … Chemistry Makes It Go!” which focused on reaction rates — word choice and imagery, colorful artwork, adherence to poem style, originality and creativity and overall presentation.

Both students received a monetary award for their submission, and as a first-place winner in the local contest, Poliziani’s poem will advance to the national competition.