In a small backyard ceremony in Norman, Okla., OSSM President Frank Wang, Ph.D., State Representative Jacob Rosencrants and Professor Rahman presented Aaron Xue, OSSM Class of 2020, on Wednesday, Jan. 6, with a plaque to acknowledge his accomplishments in chemistry. The ceremony was delayed due to COVID-19.

As a high school junior, Aaron Xue was chosen in 2019 to be one of 20 top high school students from across the nation to attend the Chemistry Olympiad Study Camp at the U. S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

During the two-week camp, 20 of the nation’s brightest students received college-level training with an emphasis on Organic, Physical and Advanced Inorganic Chemistry through a series of lectures, problem-solving exercises, lab work and testing.

The intense training prepares them to compete for one of four spots on the team representing the U.S. at the International Chemistry Olympiad, which was held in Istanbul, Turkey in July 2019.

Nearly 18,000 students across the nation undertake a series of U.S. Chemistry Olympiad local and national exams every year. Historically, several OSSM students have successfully competed at the National and International Chemistry Olympiad. For the last 25 years, 17 OSSM  students qualified for the US Chemistry Olympiad training camp and won five medals (one gold, two silver and two bronze).