Staples High School had six students among the national semifinalists in the Siemens Westinghouse science competition. Five of them are pictured here (l-r): Sameer Mathur, Jon Sellon, Stephen Marcinuk, Vikas Murali, and Lucas Rose. See story below with photo of Brian Jordan, the other semifinalist. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Brian Jordan: among six Staples Siemens semifinalists. Contributed photoWestport’s Staples High School has achieved outstanding success this year in the Siemens Westinghouse science competition, placing six students among the semifinalists.

The national contest honors students for independent research in science and offers a $100,000 scholarship to the national winner.

Of only 300 semifinalists nationally, 13 were from Connecticut, including the six from Staples.

Five of the other state semifinalists were from private schools.

Staples High School Principal John Dodig wants to make his school better and is asking senior class members to help.

In a posting on the school Web site, Dodig said beginning this month he will be inviting 20 seniors to his conference room on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 8:30 a.m. for a 15-minute meeting.

Invitations will go out by e-mail, he said, adding. “By the winter holiday break I should be able to meet all of you in this small setting.”

Dodig told seniors: “My only goal is to hear from you directly, and to gather information on ways to make Staples even better than it is now for those to follow this class. You will be given a pass to return to class.”