Six seniors from Potomac’s Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC) program have been selected as regional finalists for the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS). Lauren Foster will prepare an oral presentation to be considered for Nationals, while the other students will compete in the poster sessions to be ranked at the National level. The presentations will take place at The Catholic University of America on February 25. 

The students began their projects during their junior year and worked on them throughout the summer of 2022. Lauren’s work focuses on decellularizing muscles to generate a natural platform to regenerate muscle. Arya Bansal developed a quantitative AI model to extract data from medical images through high-dimensional radiomic features in PET and CT scans. Grace Lee researched potential biomarkers for medically diagnosed depression by correlating the signaling pathways in MDD and calcium deposition in teeth enamel. Mika Dewar developed an app that uses rPPG technology to detect changes in pulse rate and blood flow when the user interacts with deep-fake data. Alex Christ developed drug-loaded micromotors that improve drug delivery in gastric cancers. And Andrew Lay investigated the testing of hand/arm prosthetics to identify the most reliable approach by analyzing quantitative and qualitative evaluations, including the Box and Block Test. Congratulations to our SERC seniors; we are very proud of their accomplishments!

Last Friday, the Alumni Office hosted another amazing Career Lab, focused on opportunities in government and public service. Our juniors and seniors spent the morning hearing from Dana Stroul '99, deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East; Candyce Phoenix '03, who recently served as the senior counsel and senior advisor to the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol; and Claire Figel '13, a staffer on the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee. After the Career Lab, Ms. Phoenix spoke to the BSU students and Ms. Stroul and Ms. Figel held a Q&A session with students from the GPAC program.

Thank you to our seniors on the Career and Professional Skills Committee, who manage and moderate this year-long program that enables Potomac upperclassmen to engage in discussion with alumni who are leaders in diverse fields.

On February 14, Potomac tenth graders visited the U.S. Holocaust Museum for the opportunity to learn about the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust through exhibits, artifacts, and other sources that highlight stories of courage and resistance. The trip was marked with solemnity as students viewed the museum’s collections, which helped them commemorate the lives lost and the unspeakable horrors that took place during the period. When they returned to campus, students broke off into smaller discussion groups to share about the experience. Beyond making connections to lessons in their Modern World History and English classes, the powerful experience helped students reflect on the consequences of hatred, bigotry, and intolerance, as well as the imperative of speaking out against injustice of any sort.

This weekend, Upper School Theater will perform the Teen Edition of America's longest running Broadway hit, Chicago, written by famed director and choreographer Bob Fosse and song-writing duo John Kander and Fred Ebb. Set in the titular city during the roaring twenties, Chicago tells the story of heroine Roxie Hart who murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap – until he finds out he's been duped and turns on Roxie. While awaiting their trials, Roxie and another "Merry Murderess," Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the "American Dream": fame, fortune, and acquittal.

Parental Discretion Advised: Chicago contains some adult language and themes, as well as some images of violence. This production is not suitable for children under 13.

Performances will be held in the Langstaff Auditorium, on Friday, February 24, 6:30 pm, and Saturday, February 25, at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Tickets are free of charge, but reservations are required. Cast members will be taking reservations during lunch periods. Reservations can also be made by emailing Stephanie Miller with the preferred date and performance time. We ask that all tickets be picked up 15 minutes before the show begins. Shuttles will be available and dinner will be provided for students staying for the Friday show.