Washington, D.C. (May 4, 2026) – North Hollywood Senior High School tied for 5th place at the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science National Science Bowl® academic competition in Washington, D.C., delivering a standout performance on the national stage on Monday, May 4, 2026. The team proudly represented Los Angeles and showed their teamwork and exceptional knowledge by answering complex, college-level questions that ranged from biology, chemistry, to earth science, physics, energy, and math in this nationwide competition of 65 high school teams.
North Hollywood Senior High School’s first place win at the 2026 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Regional Science Bowl in February highlighted their command for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), earning them this opportunity to represent the Los Angeles region at the 2026 National Science Bowl®. North Hollywood Senior High School’s achievement underscores the school’s strong academic foundation and highlights the vital role STEM education plays in preparing students for future careers.
“Congratulations to North Hollywood Senior High School on their well-earned victory,” said David Hanson, LADWP Interim General Manager. “The commitment the students have shown in their preparation goes far beyond the competition- it builds the problem‑solving skills and creativity we need in our future workforce as we build a cleaner and more sustainable water and power future.”
Although the Los Angeles team faced tough competition with David Academy of Reno, Nevada ultimately claiming the championship title, they are still amongst the top 16 teams that will receive $1,000 for their schools’ science departments. The North Hollywood Senior High School winning team members are Connor Zhao, Connor Chang, Mingao Guo, Suzuko Ohshima, and Charles Huang.
“I’m incredibly proud of these students – they’re not just brilliant, but also incredibly thoughtful, kind humans who work together well as a team. They give one hope for the future, and they make it a joy to come to work as a teacher every day,” stated North Hollywood teacher and Science Bowl coach, Altair Maine.
The National Science Bowl® is one of the nation’s leading science-based academic competitions. Since its launch in 1991, the program has engaged and inspired more than 350,000 students across the country.
For 34 years, LADWP has been one of the nation’s few utilities to sponsor a regional Science Bowl, offering local high school students a fast‑paced, game‑show-style competition with college‑level STEM questions and a path to the national stage. The LADWP regional event has led to five national champions and now 18 top‑five national finishes-cementing Los Angeles’ leadership in advancing STEM education and inspiring the next generation of innovators.
To learn more about LADWP’s Regional Science Bowl and other educational programs, visit LADWP.com/Education.
LADWP Media Contact:
Dawn Cotterell
dawn.cotterell@ladwp.com
213-367-4208 or 213-367-1323
