Among top 300 high school scholars nationwide is FHS senior Signh
Farragut High School senior Ridhima Singh’s scientific acumen officially was recognized earlier this year when she was selected one of the top 300 high school scholars nationwide from almost 2,000 entries in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2023.
She was the only scholar from Knox County and one of only three state-wide to be selected.
“We celebrate this year’s scholars for their exceptional work and unmatched motivation to use the power of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to make a meaningful mark on the world,” said Christina Chan, senior vice president, Corporate Communications & Citizenship at Regeneron.
Singh’s project evaluated vegetative growth in urban areas versus rural areas due to climate change. She said the competition and project reflected her personal interest in math and science.
“I worked on this project last year, all during the summer, with Dr. Jiafu Mao of Oak Ridge National Lab, who served as my research mentor,” she said.
“We evaluated vegetative growth in 75 cities across the U.S. for the project with a goal to submit” for the Talent Search, which is described in a press release as “‘the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors,’” the FHS senior added.
“Scholars were chosen based on their outstanding research, leadership skills, community involvement, commitment to academics, creativity in asking scientific questions and exceptional promise as STEM leaders demonstrated through the submission of their original, independent research projects, essays and recommendations,” the release added.
Singh said she was “thrilled” to be named among the top 300, which was accompanied by a $2,000 prize for each scholar and their respective schools.
“It was really cool to know the project was among the top 300 out of more than 1,900,” she said, adding she worked three to four hours a day on the project, evaluating and analyzing the results.
“I’ve been doing science for a long time. When I was younger, I liked math specifically, then I was introduced to science in middle school and found it interesting, too.”
Singh also has been a member of both the Farragut Middle and FHS science bowl teams when the clubs won top state honors. She is president of the FHS Math Club and vice president of the school’s Science Club, and also is a member of Model UN and National Honor Society.
“I’m really grateful to Dr. (John) Bartlett (FHS principal) and my teacher/science club sponsor, Mr. (Matthew) Milligan, for their support these four years,” Singh said.
STEM also plays a part in Singh’s Girl Scout Gold Award project, as she was able to introduce the fields to area disadvantaged students.
STEM will be her initial focus in college, Singh said, before she plans to segue into computer science and economics
The senior has yet to decide on a college.
Singh is the daughter of Debjani and Nagendra Singh. She has a younger brother, Ruhaan.
