Editor’s note: Somehow, between changes in staffing, ownership, and reorganizing the physical workspaces for the Daily Journal, a very important submission regarding 2025 academic achievements by St. Joseph Catholic School students was not received by the appropriate person.
Science teacher John England recently reached out to the Daily Journal about it and wondered if there was anything that could be done. We are in his debt for bringing this oversight to our attention, as we are pleased to celebrate all achievements in our community, particularly when we can honor and recognize students for their efforts.
Thank you, Mr. England, for providing us with this compilation and photos so that we have the opportunity — belatedly — to share their successes with the community.
Hornets, the Daily Journal salutes you and your accomplishments!
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St. Joseph Students Shine in 2025 at State and Regional Science Fairs
Students from St. Joseph Catholic School have made an impressive mark in science competitions across Southeast Missouri and at the state level. From the Missouri Junior Academy of Science (MJAS) State Competition to the Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair and the Mineral Area College Science Fair, St. Joe students have demonstrated outstanding dedication, creativity, and skill in STEM research.
Success at the Missouri Junior Academy of Science State Competition
On April 11, four 8th-grade students represented St. Joseph Catholic School and all of Southeast Missouri at the Missouri Junior Academy of Science State Competition. The prestigious event brought together thirty-three middle school projects from across Missouri, each earning a highly superior rating at the regional level to qualify. The four St. Joe students had qualified at the Southeast Missouri Regional earlier this year.
Students from across the State presented their research in five broad categories:
- Biology and Environmental Science
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Chemistry, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Physics
- Medicine and Human Health
- Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Molecular Biology
St. Joe’s representatives included:
- Jonas Loughary – Chemistry, Biochemistry, Computer Science, and related fields
- Mazie Bach – Medicine and Human Health
- Sophie McMann – Microbiology and Cellular Biology
- Harrison Jaycox – Biology and Environmental Science
After delivering 12-minute presentations followed by question-and-answer sessions, finalists were announced. Of the 33 middle school projects from across the State, seven were selected as finalists — including Jonas Loughary and Sophie McMann. Jonas’s project explored artificial intelligence applications in weather versus stock market predictions, while Sophie investigated bioluminescent responses of dinoflagellates under stress. Though neither claimed a top-two overall finish, both earned highly superior ratings and top-seven state honors.
Mazie Bach and Harrison Jaycox also excelled, each receiving superior ratings and finishing among the top twenty projects in Missouri.
Continued Excellence at Mineral Area College Science Fair
At the Mineral Area College Science Fair, which was held at the new Industry and Technology Center at MAC, St. Joe students swept first-place finishes in all four categories they entered:
- Paige Carron – Natural Sciences
- Mazie Bach & Basil Washam – Product Testing (tied)
- Anna Cartee – Chemistry
- Luke Maloney – Engineering
Mazie Bach earned the Best of Fair award for her outstanding project evaluating the sound quality differences between commercial and prescribed hearing devices. This marks the sixth consecutive year in which a St. Joseph student has taken this top honor.
All Category MAC Science Fair Results 2025
Chemistry
- Honorable Mention –– Marshal Gillespie
- 3rd Place –– Amelia Tindall and Lola Parker
- 2nd place –– Samantha Figueroa
- 1st Place –– Anna Cartee
Engineering, Physics, and Math
- Honorable Mention –– Corbin Pinkston and Wes Wilson
- 3rd Place –– Madison Johnson
- 2nd Place –– Lucas Berkbigler
- 1st Place –– Luke Maloney
Natural Science
- Honorable Mention –– Charlea Carron and Harrison Jaycox
- 2nd Place –– Ryder Herbst
- 1st Place –– Paige Carron
Product Testing
- Honorable Mention –– Ella Berkbigler
- 2nd Place –– Lillian Jaycox
- 1st Place –– Mazie Bach and Basil Washam (tie)
Best of Fair 2025 –– Mazie Bach
Outstanding Performance at Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair
On March 4, 25 students from St. Joseph Catholic School in Farmington showcased their scientific talents at the annual Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair in Cape Girardeau, the largest event of its kind in the region. The competition featured students from across Southeast Missouri, and St. Joe’s students delivered an outstanding performance, earning multiple awards for their research and presentations.
Five St. Joseph students secured first-place finishes in their respective categories: Luke Maloney, Lucas Berkbigler, Trey Berkbigler, Mazie Bach, and Paige Carron. These students will now advance to compete in the prestigious Thermo-Fisher National STEM Competition this summer. This national middle school STEM event is a significant honor, as only the top 10% of 6th-8th grade students in the nation qualify to participate.
In addition to these individual successes, St. Joseph students received a total of thirty-two awards. Notably, Mazie Bach’s project was recognized as the Best Overall Project in Life Sciences, while Lucas Berkbigler earned the distinction of Best Overall Project in Physical Sciences.
Complete List of Achievements — 2024-2025 Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair
Plant and Animal Sciences
- 2nd Place Tie: Harrison Jaycox, Ryder Herbst
- 1st Place: Paige Carron
Biomedical, Biochemistry, and Microbiology
- 2nd Place: Sophie McMann
- 1st Place: Mazie Bach
Chemistry
- 3rd Place: Samantha Figueroa
- 2nd Place: Lola Parker, Amelia Tindall
Earth and Environmental Sciences
- 3rd Place Tie: Liz Schutte, Daphne Williams
- 3rd Place: Ella Berkbigler
- 2nd Place: Isaac Aseniero
- 1st Place: Luke Maloney
Embedded Systems, Engineering Technology, and Robotics
- 3rd Place: Jonas Loughary, McCullough Schrum
- 2nd Place: Reid Herbst
- 1st Place: Lucas Berkbigler
Physics and Astronomy
- 2nd Place: Wes Wilson, Corbin Pinkston
- 1st Place: Trey Berkbigler
Special Awards
- Association for Women Geoscientists Award: Ella Berkbigler
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award: Sophie McMann
- Office of Naval Research Award: Luke Maloney, Lucas Berkbigler, Mazie Bach
- Ricoh Sustainable Development Award: Luke Maloney
- U.S. Metric Association Award: Lucas Berkbigler
- United States Air Force Award: Luke Maloney, Mazie Bach
- Best Overall in Life Sciences: Mazie Bach
- Best Overall in Physical Sciences: Lucas Berkbigler
- Thermo-Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge Qualifiers: Paige Carron, Mazie Bach, Luke Maloney, Lucas Berkbigler, Trey Berkbigler
A Continuing Tradition of Academic Excellence
The continued success of St. Joseph Catholic School students reflects the school’s commitment to fostering excellence in STEM education. Through dedication, innovation, and the guidance of outstanding teachers and mentors, St. Joe students continue to make their mark on both regional and state stages.
If you have a child entering grades K-8, and would like to know more about St. Joseph Catholic School in Farmington, please contact Dr. John Boyd at 573-756-6312 for more information and a tour of the school.