Karen Lynn Geringer was recently named a finalist in the prestigious Intel science competition, a first in Plainedge High School history.

The 16-year-old whiz kid, who skipped a grade in elementary school and scored 1580 on her Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), said she felt "very surprised, and a little inadequate" when she learned she was a finalist.

Her research project dealt with views of different ethnic and social groups toward the government's efforts to curb terrorism. After analyzing the public opinion of 15,000 respondents to 16 national polls, Karen found, "People tend to blindly follow political parties because it is the easy thing to do."

"We are extraordinarily proud," said Peter Rosenstein, Karen's government teacher. "She is a very self-sufficient, well brought up 16 year old."

Karen called Rosenstein, the initiator of the program, a "constant motivator," as well as her inspiration.

In mid-March, the finalists will travel at the contest's expense to Washington D.C., where they will compete for 10 top prizes, including a first place $100,000.

As semifinalists, contestants have already won $1,000 each, with equal amounts contributed to their high schools. The 63-year-old contest, formerly known as the Westinghouse competition, is now funded by Intel Corp., a California-based manufacturer of computer chips.

The high school senior, whose interests include ballet, clarinet and the tenor sax, said that while she would be thrilled to be included in the top 10, she was just happy to be named a finalist. Currently, she is undecided about what college she will attend in the fall, and "even more undecided" about her career plans.