Clayton High School’s Academic Challenge in Engineering and Science (ACES) team won first place in the 2021 ACES Competition hosted online by the Eastern Illinois University. 

The team was one of 24 teams who qualified, not including individuals that qualified independent of a team, from Missouri and Illinois for the 700 to 1500 school size division finals. 

Students had the opportunity to perform on tests in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering graphics, English math and physics. Chemistry, English and math scores are required in the team score along with the next two highest point subjects. 

Congratulations to all of the CHS ACES Team members including Koray Akduman, Luka Bassnett, Tudor Belean, Pablo Buitrago, Jiabei Han, Stasia Kroeger, Rachel Liang, Ethan Nussinov, Matteo Sanderson, Tanner Sharon, Joey Sparks, Sarah Taylor, Suchir Tumuluru and Lana Xu.

Individual awards also are given to the top five competitors in each assessment category. The following CHS scholars earned the top five scores: 

Individuals with the Top 5 Scores:

• Chemistry:  
• 1st = Lana Xu
• 2nd = Koray Akduman
• 3rd = Jiabei Han
• 4th = Sarah Taylor, Tudor Belean, Stasia Kroeger (tied)

• Computer Science:
• 2nd = Ethan Nussinov
• 3rd = Tanner Sharon

• Engineering Graphics:
• 4th = Matteo Sanderson

• Math:
• 5th Place = Lana Xu

• Physics:
• 2nd =  Luka Bassnett
• 4th = Pablo Buitrago