Monday, March 22, 2010

Science Olympiad

Another year. Three years ago, it was Nick, Frank and a handful of others bucking the LHS system, deciding to compete in the State Science Olympiad, and placing fourth. The science department told them they had no chance, they would embarrass the school. We told Nick he had more important things to do his senior year. Nick went ahead, somehow got it all done - college applications, interviews, homework, APs, and Science Olympiad. They went to none of the regional practice meets, but recruited kids, practiced the academics, worked on the engineering events until all hours as the date neared. Fourth.

I had no idea what that meant.

The team was resurrected in 2008 by Olga Guttag, almost single-handedly. In early December they came to us and asked if they could name the team in Nick's memory, and we said of course. Olga was able to get some money from Shire to help cover expenses - still no school support. That first year they placed fourth. Last year I helped coach (really didn't do much - I was in South Africa most of January) - we placed second, and nearly unseated Newton North.

This year we worked hard at it. I think I spent every Saturday after New Year on engineering events. Olga was hospitalized the day of the meet, Elizabeth and I had been at BI until midnight the night before, getting Elizabeth's finger stitched up (the cookies were great!), and I got the call while we were at the hospital asking if I would run the meet for the team. Nick was with us, I think. Big disappointment at the awards - we placed six, in spite of the usual good showing on some events. Good news the next day - scoring error, we really placed third!

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