CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – The Clarion Junior and Senior High School Science Olympiad team will be utilizing what they’ve learned at the regional competition, making changes if necessary, and continuing to meet with their team members as they prepare for the upcoming State Competition on May 2, at Juniata College.
Both the Clarion junior and senior high students placed third at the recent Science Olympiad Regional Competition at Penn State Behrend in Erie. The third place medal guarantees a spot for both teams at the upcoming state competition.
““I enjoy science Olympiad because of the difficulty and the application to the various fields of science in a competitive setting,” said Natalie Everett, a high school student who has been a member of the Olympiad team for five years. “I look forward to the state competition for the chance to compete against schools from other regions in the state.”
Several students on the junior high team medaled in multiple events. Sarah Lavin placed 1st in ‘crime busters’ and 2nd in ‘can’t judge a powder’ and experimental design. Hannah Phillips earned a 1st place medal in ‘crime busters’ and 3rd place in ‘sounds of music’. Nick Cherico placed 2nd in ‘can’t judge a powder’ and 2nd in experimental design. Archer Mills and Isaac Kim earned a 2nd place in the ‘roto egg drop,’ and Forest Mills placed 2nd in experimental design. Lilli Frakes earned a 4th place medal in ‘sounds of music’ and ‘write it do it.’ Austin Stivanson and Cody Burford placed 4th in ‘robocross,’ and Elizabeth Ketner placed 4th in ‘write it do it.’
The high school team placed in a number of events. They placed 1st in ‘bungee drop’ – Damien Cherico, Antonio Troese; 1st in disease detectives – Nikki Warren, Natalie Everett; 1st in forensics – Nikki Warren, Natalie Everett; 1st in ‘scrambler’ – Kent Peterson, Addison Hockins; 2nd in circuit lab – Addison Hockins, Kent Peterson; 2nd in rocks and minerals – Victor Stahlman, Reed Anthony; 3rd in astronomy – Kevin Bradley, Cody Klingler; 3rd in ‘Boomilevers’ – Damien Cherico, Addison Hockins; and 3rd in technical problem solving – Victor Stahlman, Reed Anthony.
Della Kurtzhals and Brian Burford are the advisors for the junior and senior high Science Olympiad teams.
Kurtzhals tells exploreClarion.com, “Mr. Burford and I are extremely proud of the accomplishments of both teams this year.”
“Team members met several times a week and worked independently on the projects. Their dedication and hard work was evident by the number of teams which earned medals at the regional competition.”
The Clarion Junior High Science Olympiad team poses with their recently won 3rd place trophy from the Regional Science Olympiad Competition.