Schools

Whiz Kid: Seneca Valley Senior Writes Winning Essay on Marcellus Shale

Miranda Wack had no idea her teacher entered her into a chemistry essay contest. Then she nabbed a prize.

Miranda Wack

○      Whiz Kid's Age: 17

○      Whiz Kid's School: Seneca Valley Senior High School

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○      Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: A senior at the high school, Miranda was named an honorable-mention winner in the Society of Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh Essay Contest. The contest included essays from high school students in a 70-county area. For Miranda's achievement, she was awarded a $200 savings bond. 

○      Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Miranda wrote her essay about one of the hottest topics in Western Pennsylvania right now, Marcellus Shale. While writing the essay was a requirement of her advanced chemistry class at the high school, she had no idea her teacher, Kelly Weston, had entered her into the contest.

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In the fall, Miranda will attend Penn State Beaver, where she plans to major in biochemistry. She said she’ll use the savings bond towards her college education.

“I need all the help I can get,” she said with a laugh.

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