Congratulations to Brent Shenton and Valencia's Chemistry Olympiad Team for finishing in first place in Orange County for the third consecutive year in the annual International Chemistry Olympiad Competition. This year, 42 county high schools participated in the competition. Beckman High School finished second, University third, Northwood fourth, and Troy fifth.

Valencia's team members included Victor Manuel Michel, Nick Jackson, Brian Chu, Bao Nguyen, Christina Cui, and Brandon Kao. Eleven county students were invited to participate in the second round, which focuses on individual competition, to be held April 13 at Vanguard University. Michel and Kao were invited to participate in the second round.

Valencia was one of only three schools who had two students invited to the second round.  900 students from throughout the nation will compete in the second round.  The top 20 finishers will advance to the third round to be held at the Air Force Academy for two weeks in June.

Last year as only sophomore, Kao was the only Orange County student to advance to the third round. The top four competitors at the Air Academy camp will represent the United States at the fourth and final round to be held in Moscow, Russia in July where they will compete against the top high school chemistry from 70 nations.