Prince William Water Honors Outstanding Student Scientists

WOODBRIDGE, Va. (June 12, 2026) — Prince William Water recently recognized 28 elementary, middle and high school students from Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park for their exceptional water- and wastewater-related projects at the 2026 Prince William-Manassas Regional Science & Engineering Fair and Student Environmental Action Showcase (SEAS).  

Each year, Prince William Water partners with Prince William County Schools to evaluate Science & Engineering Fair and SEAS entries focused on water and wastewater, highlighting student innovation in environmental problem-solving. Outstanding projects are selected for Prince William Water’s Organizational Awards, celebrating student excellence in environmental science and sustainability.  

Prince William Water remains committed to fostering young scientists and supporting research that advances water conservation and environmental protection. 

Complete List of Winners: 

Science & Engineering Fair, Senior Division 

• First Place: Natan Girma, Zarlasht Hashemi & Victor Olabode, The Governor's School @ Innovation Park Project: “The Effects of Varying Algal Bloom Combatants on Cyanobacterial and Eukaryotic Algal Blooms using Daphnia pulex as the Bioindicator”                         
• Second Place: Isabella Boles, Kaya Choudhary & Sofia Mariscal, The Governor's School @ Innovation Park Project: “Biofilter Performance in Water Purification: Effects of Aerogel, Hydrogel, and Activated Carbon on the Elimination of Escherichia coli and the Survival of Daphnia magna”                                                                   
• Third Place: Sally Borek, Osbourn Park High School Project: “The Impact of pH on the Toxicity of Ibuprofen on Lemna minor”                   
• General Manager’s Awards: Katelyn Wagner, Osbourn Park High School, Project: “Observing Bacteria Growth in Prince William County Water Samples” 
• SEAS Elementary Division: Brooke Beckman & Sienna Pirisino, Buckland Mills Elementary School. Project: “Refill to Rebuild” 
• SEAS Middle Division: Raheel Ferozi, Stella Luciani, Nayeli Lopez Escobar, Olive Weaver, Mia Melek, Natalie Cico, Haylie Greco, Elizabeth Castillo, Elias Mir, Dhruvi Chudasama, MacKenzie Moten, Emily Trigilia, Elsa Markle & Amelia Baughman, Parkside Middle School. Project: “The Effects on Stormwater at Parkside Middle School” 
• SEAS ECO Art: Rupkotha Barua, Ann Korah, Riya Singh & Yohanna Berhane, Mary G. Porter Traditional School Project: “Under the Lens: Unveiling the Microplastic Reality in our Air, Land, Water and Life” 

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Prince William Water has been providing drinking water and water reclamation services for Prince William County since 1983.