Plainfield North High School made district history with its first appearance at the Science Olympiad Team State Tournament at the University of Illinois.
Science Olympiad teams begin their season at a regional competition where performance across 23 events determines advancement.
The top four teams from each regional tournament earn a coveted bid to the state tournament.
PNHS secured its place by finishing fourth at regionals, marking a historic milestone for the program.
The team went on to compete against 54 schools at the state tournament on April 18, 2026, demonstrating exceptional dedication, teamwork, and academic excellence.
PNHS students earned multiple top finishes at the state level, including:
1st Place - Disease Detectives: Devanshi Chauhan, junior, and Umair Khan, junior 
3rd Place - Helicopter: Varshid Chidambara, senior, and Vamshid Chidambara, sophomore
3rd Place - Rocks and Minerals: Patricia Botnari, senior, and Kaitlyn Gaszak, senior
4th Place - Dynamic Planet: Nyla Rizvi, senior, and Akshith Vasa, senior
5th Place – Electric Vehicle: Daniel Chavez, junior
The state-qualifying team included:
Seniors: Patricia Botnari, Varshid Chidambara, Kaitlyn Gaszak, Carson Payne, Nyla Rizvi, Akshith Vasa, Kyle Zumstein
Juniors: Nicolas Barrios, Devanshi Chauhan, Daniel Chavez, Gavin Gunderson, Umair Khan, Dylan O’Connor
Sophomores: Vamshid Chidambara, Sahil Sabzaali
“This achievement highlights the strength and growth of the Science Olympiad program at PNHS, as well as the commitment of its students and coaches,” said Rachel Cecil, PNHS head Science Olympiad coach and science teacher.
Across the district, students demonstrated excellence in Science Olympiad this season, with Plainfield East High School also earning recognition through strong performances at the Individual State Tournament.