The Data Doesn't Lie

The data doesn’t lie and Kiani Valencia and Madison Durbin, two Selah High School sophomores, revealed exciting facts that earned them recognition from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH).

The duo was celebrated for their work as part of the Fourth Annual Washington Tracking Network Youth Science Contest. The competition gives high school students across Washington the chance to explore local health and environmental data while developing their scientific and communication skills.

Students submitted a range of creative and analytical projects including research essays and social media campaigns across three categories: Health Science, Community Engagement, and Science Communication. A panel of DOH experts in each field reviewed submissions based on their subject matter, relevance to health and equity, and overall presentation.

Receiving second place honors in the Health Sciences Division, Kiani Valencia’s project focused on "The Effects of Traffic Air Pollution on Washington Health." 

Madison Durbin was also recognized in the Health Sciences Category and earned a third place award for her project which focused on "Invisible Chemicals, Visible Impact: Understanding PFAS and Cancer." 

Congratulations Kiani and Madison!