The Watseka Junior High School Science Olympiad team earned a second place finish at the Illinois Science Olympiad Regional Competition at Parkland College in Champaign.  It was the team's first in-person competition since 2020 Regionals. The team took 2nd place overall, qualifying for the State Finals and just 2 points behind the 1st place team of Champaign St. Matthews.

The team earned medals in 18 of the 23 events, including 9 event championships. The team also earned their 5th Regional Award for Spirit and Sportsmanship in their last 6 in-person Regional competitions.

"We are very proud of this team with the effort they put in preparing for our first in-person competition in 3 years. To put things in perspective, we have a team made up of students who have never competed in-person, with the last 2 years being virtual, on-line competitions. The last time that occurred was back in 1988 when Mr. Regnier, Mr. Ochs, and Mr. Wilson started our first Science Olympiad team, so in some ways it was starting all over for us. All of the students stepped up and were crucial in us qualifying for the state finals a reality." -Coach Troy J. Simpson

The WJHS Science Olympiad Team will compete in the Illinois State Science Olympiad Finals on April 22 on the campus of the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.

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