State Science Olympiad-We’ve Got Chemistry
April 27, 2022
State Science Olympiad Extends Special Thanks to Booster Club, BTC Bank Area Youth Corp, Jake Cameron, Mrs. Angie McCrary and Our Parent Volunteers!
The Junior High and High School State Science Olympiads were held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. Twenty-nine Pattonsburg students earned the right to attend the competition, with twenty-three ultimately being able to attend. Unfortunately, none of our students were able to medal; however, all students worked very hard and a large number of our students scored in the upper percentiles. Even though our Junior High Team had qualified for State three years in a row, and our High School Team for two years in a row, thanks to COVID, this was the first time in our school history that either team had a chance to experience an in-person meet as a whole team. In fact, of the twenty-three students in attendance, only three had ever even had an opportunity to attend an in-person competition before as an Event Qualifier, and they each found that by changing hosting institutions this year, and thus professors designing the tests, that things were much different this year than in previous ones. On the bright side, most of our students came back with great ideas on how to improve for next year, and many actually took detailed notes, and that is what the experience is all about. This was a fantastic opportunity for growth and to allow our students to “always keep moving forward.” Mrs. Hulet had a very simple goal, and that was for neither team to finish last, which they did not, so she was quite happy. With this, our students had another exciting opportunity during the weekend, and that was having the ability to explore the Discovery Center in Springfield, Missouri as they wished. This Science-City-like venue opened their doors to all Science Olympiad students free of charge after-hours and gave them the run of the place. While there, our school actually set a center-record for the most people involved in the static-charge station, which was a HUGE hit. Mrs. Hulet really enjoyed seeing the kids who initially said they were too old and too cool to enjoy such an activity, ultimately running around like young elementary kids learning as they played with all the exhibits and having a grand old time! At this time, both teams would like to recognize our wonderful Pattonsburg Booster Club. They supplied all students, and official school staff members in attendance as well, with $10 to eat supper on Friday night, and the kids really appreciated that! Mrs. Hulet is also extremely excited to report that the BTC Area Youth Benefit Corp. exceeded her request to help supply a few students having financial difficulty with meals, and instead chose to award the entire group $500 to be spent as she pleased. With this, Mrs. Hulet was able to supply every student in attendance with $10 towards lunch on competition day, and every student who rode the bus home and/or who was in need, with additional monies. Mrs. Hulet also wants to extend a special thanks to Mr. Jake Cameron who gave up his weekend to drive the bus and Mrs. Angie McCrary who was our district’s official staff-member volunteer on site. Another special thanks goes out to Mr. Alan McCrary and Mrs. Amy McCrary who were our official parent volunteers—they, and all the other parents present that day, stepped in as needed to help get students where they needed to be as they struggled to navigate such a large campus, and Mrs. Hulet could not have done it without them. All in all, the State Science Olympiad was an amazing experience for all, and one we hope to repeat in the years to come. Our goal for next year is simple, we just want to keep moving forward!
