News Post

Two St. Joseph’s Academy students qualified to participate in the 2024 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair-ISEF, held May 11-17 in Los Angeles. ISEF is the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition.

Sophomore Claire Bodin and junior Lola Avery were among the young scientists from more than 75 countries at this year’s fair. 

“ISEF is always an amazing experience, but seeing students who experience it for the first time is always my favorite part,” said Jacqueline Savoia, SJA’s science fair director. “They realize that they are competing among the best young scientists in the world. I love watching them meet new people and seeing them in awe of some of the research projects they encounter. It is truly a privilege and an honor to be a part of this with them. I am beaming with pride that SJA is on the global map in this competition and so proud of our participants.” 

Avery said that her six days at ISEF were filled with wonderful opportunities. “What made the trip so memorable was hearing what inspired other students’ research,” she said. “Talking and exchanging ideas with kids from such different backgrounds meant that I was able to consider new approaches to problems that I had never fully understood before. We had multiple panel sessions with professors, entrepreneurs and college admission representatives, each of whom had attended ISEF as a student. To hear from their personal experiences how much ISEF changed their research, work ethic, life goals and collaboration skills was so inspiring.” 

Bodin was equally enthusiastic. “I had a great time on the trip and at ISEF,” she said. “It was really cool meeting people from all over the world, and I loved talking to people from different states and countries. I also really enjoyed getting to know the other people who came from Louisiana.”

Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director