LHS wins state Science Olympiad competition
The Libertyville High School Science Olympiad Team took first place at the state competition at the University of Illinois, Champaign.
After finishing fifth in their regional in Oswego in March, the team captured the state Division A competition April 16.
Head Coach Ursula Ahern said it is a testimony to their excellent teamwork, perseverance and effort.
“Not many high school students go on to become professional athletes,” Ahern added. “But, there is a huge demand and opportunity for students in STEM fields. Take a look at our team photo. They are future scientists, engineers, doctors and researchers, and they will have a tremendous impact on our world.”
Libertyville placed first out of 22 teams in the A division and 16th out of 46 teams in the overall competition.
The first-year team features 15 students: Max Allen, Wes Allen, Adam Blythe, Charlie Burnett, Devika Joshi, Jason Leib, Kelly Lubbers, Joey Nedland, Erin Neil, Tim Pawlicki, Colleen Pawlicki, Connor Robinson, Patrick Slade, Jason Voelker and Tommy Wagener.
Team members also earned individual medals in 11 of the 23 regular events and in one of the trial events.
“We completely redesigned our mousetrap vehicle and spent several hours calibrating it in the halls at U of I,” Wagener said.
Tweaking built devices, practicing PVC flute and tube drum duets, and reviewing notes made for a packed pre-competition evening.
From reviewing fossils to forensics in an after-dinner study session, “It’s more in-depth than we get in our high school classes and it’s a fun club to be in,” Pawlicki said.
Individual results were: 5th Astronomy — Connor Robinson and Joey Nedland; 5th Disease Detectives — Devika Joshi and Joey Nedland; 1st Dynamic Planet — Erin Neil and Connor Robinson; 3rd Experimental Design — Charlie Burnett, Patrick Slade and Adam Blythe; 1st Forensics — Colleen Pawlicki and Kelly Lubbers; 3rd Optics — Max Allen and Tim Pawlicki; 5th Helicopters — Wes Allen and Max Allen; 2nd Mission Possible — Max Allen and Tim Pawlicki; 1st Mousetrap Vehicle — Tim Pawlicki and Tommy Wagener; 2nd Sounds of Music — Erin Neil and Charlie Burnett; 1st Tower Building — Adam Blythe and Patrick Slade; 1st Geocaching (Trial) — Jason Voelker and Devika Joshi.
The team is supported by Assistant Head Coach Mary Allen, sponsor Radhika Joshi, and parent coaches Michael Slade, Jim Blythe and Terri Neil.