La Cueva High School - New Mexico Regional High School Science Bowl
Nearly five years ago Coach Colleen Fordyce left her career as a research scientist to pursue her passion for teaching. It was the best decision! She has taught physics and chemistry, but her passion lies in biology and AP biology. Coach Fordyce (Doc to her students), is also the sponsor for Science Bowl. In her (limited) free time Coach Fordyce enjoys gardening, hiking, reading and drawing.
Mario Sumali is a junior attending La Cueva High School. Mario is the captain of the La Cueva Science Bowl team, vice-president of the robotics team, and a varsity swimmer. After graduation, he plans to attend a four-year university with a double major in computer science and applied mathematics. In his free time, Mario enjoys swimming, listening to music, coding, and stargazing. Of the 88 constellations, his favorite is Pegasus. In Science Bowl, Mario's favorite category is biology, specifically physiology and anatomy, and his least favorite category is chemistry. Mario loves Science Bowl because it's not just a game, a quiz, or a test of knowledge, but something different entirely. It truly is a competition like no other...
Charles Zhou is a sophomore student at La Cueva High School. Charles' favorite subjects are science, math, and literature. His interests and hobbies include reading, video games, manga, and martial arts. He is involved in CyberPatriots, Science Olympiad, and the Robotics teams. He plans to attend college and major in cognitive science and minor in math or computer science. He plays the drums and likes to cook ramen.
Janie Xiong is currently a junior at La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has been in the Science Bowl program throughout her entire high school career. Her other extracurricular activities include Science Olympiad, speech and debate, Key Club, and HOSA, and she contributes to the leadership for some of these clubs. She also plays tennis for her school and has been on the varsity team for tennis since her freshman year. Her favorite subjects in school are science and math. In her free time, she mainly likes to read, play tennis, and spend time with her family and friends. In the future, Janie hopes to pursue a career in the medical field, such as a pediatrician or a family doctor.
Melody Yeh, a junior at La Cueva High School in New Mexico. She is passionate about studying biology and chemistry as a member of Science Bowl and Science Olympiad. Melody is the founding member of LCHS's robotics and Girls Who Code clubs, and 2021 state winner
of the NCWIT Award for Aspiration in Computing. In addition to swimming for the school, Melody holds various leadership positions in clubs such as Speech and Debate, HOSA, and Key Club. She has qualified for AIME three times and was invited to participate in the MIT Math
Prize for Girls competition. Melody plans to major in biochemistry and computer science, with the aspiration of becoming a pediatrician or pursuing a computer science related career. In her free time, Melody enjoys solving jigsaw puzzles, crocheting, and traveling with her family.
Berkan Dokmeci is a junior at La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is interested in math and would love to major in computer science and math in college with the hopes of working in the field of AI when he "grows up". Berkan participated in the USAMO and USACO contests and looks forward to participating in future STEM events.
