Solon Students Excel in Chemistry and Speech Competitions
Solon students earn national recognition this month for their achievements in both science and speech and debate, showcasing the district’s strong academic foundation and commitment to excellence.
Christopher Wang, a rising senior at Solon High School, has been selected as one of just 20 students nationwide to attend the 2025 U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad Study Camp.
Held June 1–14 at the University of Maryland, College Park, the prestigious two-week camp prepares top-performing chemistry students for the chance to represent the United States at the International Chemistry Olympiad in Dubai later this year. Wang earned his spot at the camp after advancing through the Cleveland Local Section competition.
“Chris has worked incredibly hard to achieve this,” said Solon High School AP Chemistry teacher Tony Sanson. “No matter how he ranks at the end of camp, it is an elite experience and I’m very proud of him.”
Solon’s excellence extends beyond the science lab. This month, 28 students, 17 from the high school and 11 from the middle school, qualified for the National Speech and Debate Tournament, taking place June 16 to 20 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Of those, 13 high school students and all 11 middle school students will compete, while four qualified high school seniors will not attend due to other academic commitments related to college preparation and internships.
“Advancing to the national level in speech and debate demonstrates exceptional intellectual rigor, persuasive communication, and the ability to articulate complex ideas under pressure,” said Superintendent Fred Bolden. “These students exemplify the kind of well-rounded academic excellence we strive to cultivate throughout our district.”
This year marks a significant first for Solon Middle School, which will be represented at nationals by a policy debate team. Eighth-graders Avnee Deo and Tejas Chatterjee earned their place after competing virtually against teams from across the country.
They will be joined by seventh-graders Olivia Shin, Shreyan Basu, and Daniel Song, some of the youngest competitors making the trip to Des Moines.
“Our future is very bright,” said debate coach Trina Castro, reflecting the district’s pride in its students’ achievements across disciplines.
