HTC students earn awards at state science fair

AMES - On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Holy Trinity Catholic (HTC) brought 28 junior high and senior high students to compete in the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa, held at Hilton Coliseum on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames.
Science advisor Ernie Schiller organized educational tours for students on Wednesday, including visits to the university’s Solar Farm and the Greenhouse and Horticulture facilities. These experiences gave students valuable insight into real-world scientific research and applications.
Eleven HTC students were selected to participate in the prestigious Larry Schwinger Seminar Program. These students prepared and delivered slideshow presentations, competing against peers within their grade levels.
Holy Trinity FFA students also submitted their projects to the FFA Agriscience Competition under the guidance of advisor Breana Houtz. Several HTC students earned scholarships through this program. FFA competitions and awards were presented on Thursday. Seminar presentations and awards, along with State Science Fair category, overall, and special awards, were announced on Friday.
In total, HTC students earned 19 FFA awards on Thursday and 29 awards on Friday, highlighting the strength of the school’s science program.
Special thanks to the teachers, staff, and Science Boosters—Kim Menke, Amy Forsythe, Stacey Pieper, Nicole Newton, Jessica Menke, and Breana Houtz—for their support.
The program’s success reflects years of growth. Schiller founded the HTC Science Club nine years ago with four students; today, it includes 54 participants locally and 28 at the state level. HTC’s science program is led by Lisa Gendron (high school) and Michael Klesner (junior high).

FFA Agriscience Awards (Thursday)
Colton Menke – 2nd Place, Division 1 Environmental Sciences
Linnea Knustrom – 2nd Place, Division 3 Social Science
Gavin Pieper – 1st Place, Division 1 Power & Structural
Cole Newton – 1st Place, Division 1 Environmental Sciences
Cooper Barnes – 3rd Place, Division 3 Environmental Sciences
Keira Bentler – 2nd Place, Division 1 Food Products
Zikayla Houtz – 2nd Place, Division 1 Plant Systems; Plant Science Award
Chase Ellison & Elijah Fuerman – 2nd Place, Division 4 Plant Systems
Brady Adams – Tri-County Agriculture Award
Jack Ragar – 2nd Place, Division 5 Food Products; $1,000 Scholarship
Ellie Hellman – Computer Science Award; Women in Mathematics Award
Emma Menke – 3rd Place, Division 5 Power & Structural; $750 Scholarship
Brooklyn Forsythe – 2nd Place, Division 5 Power & Structural; Excellence in Global Impact Award
Zane Houtz – 2nd Place, Division 5 Environmental Science; STEM AgriVenture Award

State Science & Technology Fair Awards (Friday)
Colton Menke – Seminar Honorable Mention; 1st Place (7th Grade); Thermo Fisher Scientific Award
Linnea Knustrom – Honorable Mention (8th Grade)
Brantley Forsythe – 1st Place (6th Grade); U.S. Air Force Award
Gavin Pieper – Seminar 2nd Place; 3rd Place (7th Grade)
Emily Walker – Seminar Honorable Mention
Cole Newton – Seminar Honorable Mention; 3rd Place (7th Grade)
Cooper Barnes – Honorable Mention (8th Grade)
Addison Menke – Seminar Honorable Mention; Honorable Mention (6th Grade)
Sawyer Rhoades – Honorable Mention (7th Grade)
Parker Mohrfeld – 1st Place (6th Grade); Overall Middle School Microbiology Winner
Zikayla Houtz – Seminar Honorable Mention
Parker Austin – Seminar Honorable Mention; Honorable Mention (7th Grade)
Brady Adams – Seminar Honorable Mention
Ellie Hellman – Seminar Honorable Mention; 6-Year Presenter Award; Rising Star in Science
Chase Menke – 3rd Place (High School)
Emma Menke – Seminar Honorable Mention; Honorable Mention (High School)
Brooklyn Forsythe – 2nd Place (High School); ISEF International Observer