Class of 2019
Abby Swartz
Abby Swartz, daughter of Lloyd and Michelle Swartz, is currently a Senior at Hudson Falls High School, and is in her third year in the Science Research Program. Abby is the president of the Class of 2019, vice president of National Honor Society, treasurer of Science Club, and secretary of Roots & Shoots Club. She is also the varsity soccer captain for Hudson Falls and plays travel soccer with Northern United Soccer Club. Abby plans to go to college and enter the medical field. She is also currently enrolled in the New Visions Health Careers Exploration program. Abby is currently conducting her research, "Effect of Beta-Amyloid on Memory Formation and Regenerative Abilities in Dugesia tigrina." She became interested in studying Alzheimer’s disease after multiple family members were diagnosed with the disease.
Sena McLaughlin
Sena McLaughlin, daughter of Mariko and Michael Mclaughlin, is currently a Senior at Hudson Falls High School and is in her second year of the Science Research Program. Sena plays the violin in the Hudson Falls Orchestra. She is also involved in varsity field hockey, indoor, and outdoor track. In her free time Sena enjoys spending time with family and friends, participating in sports, and playing with her dog Roberta. Sena plans on attending college to study humanities. She is currently researching the topic, “Environment or Beekeeping Practices: What effects Varroa mite populations in Honey Bee colonies?"
Jessica Petteys
Jessica, daughter of Chris and Ruth Petteys, is currently a Senior at Hudson Falls High School and this is her second year in the Science Research Program. Jessica is a member of the Academic Quiz Bowl team ski club and Book Club. She also participates in Indoor and Outdoor track. On her free time she enjoys working on her artwork and working at Quality Hardware. Her current research is "Intercropping russet potatoes and the common dandelion to attract the twelve spotted lady beetle as a biological control method for Colorado potato beetle populations." She became interested with researching the Colorado potato beetle after studying a majority of agricultural pests in the local area.
Sierra Ellsworth
Sierra, daughter of Wayde and Stacy Ellsworth, is currently a Senior at Hudson Falls High School and is in her third year of the Science Research Program. Sierra is a part of the indoor track and outdoor track team. She is also a member of the National Honor Society. During her free time, she competes in rodeos and is a member of the APRA and NYSHSRA. Sierra plans on going to college at the University of Tennessee at Martin and is going to major in animal science. She became interested in Huntington’s Disease after multiple members of her family were diagnosed with the illness. Sierra’s current research is on “Health Related Quality of Life of individuals diagnosed with Juvenile-Onset Huntington’s Disease.”
Anne Kiernan
Anne, daughter of Lori and Neil Kiernan, is currently a Senior at Hudson Falls High School and is in her second year of the Science Research Program. Annie is a member of the Band, Choir, Jazz Band and is the secretary of the Class of 2019. She is also involved in varsity soccer, indoor track, and outdoor track. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, going on runs, baking, and working at Jack and Jill’s Ice Cream Shop. She also loves spending time outside with her dogs and gardening. Annie hopes to attend college and enter the medical field. She became interested in her project after being diagnosed with both OCD and anorexia nervosa. She hopes to help others who are going through what she has experienced. Annie is currently researching the topic “Effects of Exposure and Response Prevention on individuals with comorbid Orthorexia Nervosa and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.”