TXSEF 2025

(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – May 12, 2025) — El Paso ISD students showcased their talent and academic excellence at the 2025 Texas Science and Engineering Fair (TXSEF), earning top awards and making their district proud in a prestigious statewide competition.

Representing a wide range of scientific disciplines, including engineering, environmental science, and mathematics, students from El Paso ISD competed in the junior division and walked away with multiple first- and second-place finishes.

Among the standout achievers:

• Julia Terrazas earned first place in Environmental Engineering

• Siddharth Vidyarthi captured first place in Mathematics

• Matthew Soyka secured second place in Engineering Technology: Statics and Dynamics

• Shaheli De Silva won second place in Environmental Engineering

• Jason Surabhi achieved second place in Mathematics

These students competed against top young scientists from across Texas, demonstrating creativity, innovation, and rigorous problem-solving through their projects. Their achievements underscore El Paso ISD’s commitment to fostering excellence in STEM and STEAM education and preparing students to succeed in a global, technology-driven world.

TXSEF 2025“El Paso ISD is proud to support and celebrate these brilliant students and the educators who help guide their journeys,” said Phillip Hash, Director Academic Operations. “Competitions like the Texas Science and Engineering Fair empower our students to push boundaries, explore real-world challenges, and make meaningful contributions to their fields of interest.”

The district congratulates all participants and looks forward to seeing where their curiosity and passion will take them next.

Full list:

Name

Category

Place

Matthew Soyka

Engineering Technology: Statics and Dynamics

2

Julia Terrazas

Environmental Engineering

1

Shaheli De Silva

Environmental Engineering

2

Siddharth Vidyarthi

Mathematics

1

Jason Surabhi

Mathematics

2

Mateo Manke

Robotics and Intelligent Machines

1

Sreenesh Sreeprasad

Systems Software

1

Lucas Medina

Animal Sciences

1

Alejandro Ortiz Tapia

Behavioral and Social Sciences

2

Kate Esplin

Biomedical and Health Sciences

1

Victoria Lopez

Plant Sciences

1

Hanalei Esparza

Biochemistry

1

Ethan Pan

Biochemistry

2

Ian Davila

Chemistry

1

Max Kamdem

Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design

2

Francis Boyle

Materials Science

2

Karla Garcia

Animal Sciences

1

Logan Amezcua

Animal Sciences

2

Shalom Wraith, Azalea Hernandez

Behavioral and Social Sciences

1

Lea Zavala

Behavioral and Social Sciences

2

Marley Marquez

Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

2

David Flores, Lauren Gallegos

Microbiology

1

Trager Simpson

Chemistry

2