5 NJ Students Reach Top 4 at Regional Science Bowl

Five students from Cedar Hill Preparatory School in Somerset just earned a spot among the top four teams at one of New Jersey's toughest academic competitions, and they're not even in high school yet.

Nico Garofalo, Yajur Subramaniam, Samarth Dakhera, Shivad Desai, and Vallabh Vijayaraj represented their school at the New Jersey Regional Science Bowl held at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Out of 16 teams competing from across the region, these five middle schoolers fought their way through seven rounds of intense questioning.

The Science Bowl isn't your typical classroom quiz. Students face rapid-fire questions covering Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Earth Science, and Space Science, all while the clock ticks down and pressure mounts.

The competition took place at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, a world-renowned research facility where scientists work on cutting-edge energy solutions. For students passionate about science, competing in a place where actual discoveries happen adds extra meaning to every answer they give.

What makes their top-four finish particularly impressive is the breadth of knowledge required. These students can't just master one subject—they need to switch between complex concepts across five different scientific disciplines in seconds.

Why This Inspires

This story reminds us that age doesn't limit what young people can achieve when they're supported and encouraged. These five students devoted countless hours to studying material that challenges many college students, and they did it because they love learning.

Their success also shows the power of teamwork in academics. Science Bowl isn't about individual brilliance—it requires trust, communication, and the ability to support teammates when the pressure's on.

Cedar Hill Prep's investment in academic competition programs gives students experiences that textbooks alone can't provide. Standing in a world-class research lab, competing against the region's best, these students got a glimpse of the scientific careers they might pursue someday.

The team's journey proves that when schools create opportunities and students bring dedication, remarkable things happen. These five competitors didn't just memorize facts—they learned to think quickly, work together, and stay calm under pressure, skills that will serve them well beyond any competition.

Their achievement sets an inspiring example for younger students at Cedar Hill Prep and beyond. Success in science isn't reserved for adults in lab coats—it starts with curious kids willing to put in the work.

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