
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 18, 1993                   TAG: 9305180197
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: BIG STONE GAP                                LENGTH: Short

STUDENT MAKES RUN AT OLYMPIAD CHEMISTRY

A sophomore at Powell Valley High School in Wise County has become the first student from Southwest Virginia ever to qualify to take the National Chemistry Olympiad Exam.

Duane Gibson took an American Chemical Society test at Clinch Valley College, one of the sites from around the country for regional examinations to select students for the national test.

The regional and national tests are preliminary steps for choosing a United States team for the international Chemistry Olympiad, to be held in Italy this year.

"Most of the students who earned top scores are in their second year of chemistry, and Duane has not completed his first year," said Van W. Daniel, professor of chemistry at Clinch Valley College.

After the national exam, the society will name 20 students who will prepare for international competition in a 10-day camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. Five or six students will ultimately be chosen to compete.

Gibson's parents are Billy and Leisa Gibson of Big Stone Gap. His chemistry teacher is Vicki Williams.

- Southwest bureau

by CNB