VERO BEACH, FL (April 12, 2026) - Students across Indian River County delivered an exceptional performance at the Florida State Science Fair, held March 31 through April 2. Competing among the top young scientists in the state, this outstanding group demonstrated innovation, academic rigor, and a commitment to excellence that reflects the strength of education across the entire community.
The three-day event showcased cutting-edge student research across multiple scientific disciplines, with Indian River County students earning top placements, special recognitions, and scholarship opportunities. Their achievements highlight a shared, countywide commitment to preparing students for success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
“We are incredibly proud of every student who represented Indian River County at the state level,” said Dr. David K. Moore, Superintendent of Schools. “This level of achievement reflects not only their talent and determination, but also the collective support of our educators, families, and schools across all sectors. Together, we are building a culture of innovation and excellence that benefits our entire community.”
The District extends its sincere appreciation to Katie Newman (St. Edward’s School), Sharon Kaylor (Indian River Charter High School), and Dr. Nikki Mosblech (Vero Beach High School) for their leadership and commitment in chaperoning students throughout the event. Special recognition is extended to Dr. Mosblech for her exceptional dedication in preparing students, coordinating complex requirements, and ensuring each project met the rigorous standards of state-level competition.
Students representing schools across Indian River County included:
• Indian River Charter High School: Natalise Snead, Torrilynn Roux, and Sarah Luna
• Osceola Magnet School: Luca D’Elia
• Saint Edward’s School: Jack Newman, Anna Luo, and Ellie Ma
• Sebastian River High School: Aaron Hernandez and Kyle Spense
• Storm Grove Middle School: Kieran Mosblech and Sarah Adams
• Vero Beach High School: Gianna D’Elia, Avi Johnson, Aniela Kelly, William Lockwood, Hunter Swenson, Elaina Turner, Hunter Cook, and Jaya Vernese
Award-winning students earned the following honors:
• Osceola Magnet School: Luca D’Elia – Honorable Mention, Animal Sciences
• Storm Grove Middle School: Kieran Mosblech – 2nd Place, Animal Sciences; Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators’ Challenge
• Saint Edward’s School:
o Jack Newman – U.S. Metric Association Award
o Anna Luo and Ellie Ma – Cash Award, Big Springs Regional Science and Engineering Fair
• Vero Beach High School:
o Elaina Turner – Honorable Mention, Behavioral & Social Sciences
o Hunter Swenson – 4th Place, Plant Sciences; invitation to attend the Florida Youth Institute at the University of Florida
o Gianna D’Elia – 4th Place, Microbiology
o Aniela Kelly – Scholarship, University of Florida College of Life Sciences
o Avi Johnson – Cash Award, Tomoka Regional Science and Engineering Fair; NASA Certificate for Deep Space Logistics Robotics, Information Management, and Software
In recognition of their achievements, all participating students will be honored at the School District of Indian River County School Board meeting on May 11, 2026.
The Florida State Science Fair continues to serve as a premier platform for student discovery and innovation. The success of Indian River County students underscores the collective impact of strong instructional programs, dedicated educators, and a community that values academic excellence.
This is more than a story. This is a movement.
Together, we are Connected by Community, Driven by Innovation, and Fueled by Leadership.
Together, we are MySDIRC.
For updates and announcements, visit https://www.indianriverschools.org/ or follow us on Facebook at School District of Indian River County and Dr. David K. Moore, and on Instagram @MySDIRC.