The Watseka Junior High School Science Olympiad Team competed at the Illinois State Science Olympiad virtual competition on Saturday, April 23 The team earned state medals in five events enroute to a 6th place finish as a team, equaling the team's 2nd best finish in its 35 year history. Students competed in 23 different events and 3 trial events that include everything from lab process events, mineral and bird identification, building bridges and trebuchets to solving crimes using forensics.

“We are very proud of these kids and they showed they could hold their own against some of the best teams in the state. It is a pretty good year if we can get a few medals and finish in the top ten in the state as a team. To finish 6th is just amazing. We really miss being able to compete at the University of Illinois and the great experience it is. We're hoping this will be the last year we have to compete virtually and get back to in-person competition, where are students tend to thrive." -Coach Troy J. Simpson

State Medalists:
Bridge Building: Austin Morris – State Runner-up
Mission Possible: Caleb Mustered and Elijah Heeren– 4th Place
Rocks and Minerals: Thayren Rigsby and Austin Morris – 4th Place
CodeBusters: Aaron Greene and Eli Maulding - 5th Place
Trial Event Home Horticulture: Ellie Simpson - State Runner-up 

State Competing Team Members: Taylor Bright, Kyah Bowling, Ella Combes, Faith DeLahr, Lydia Heeren, Austin Morris, Peter Jeglinski, Cara Petersen, Thayren Rigsby, Aaron Greene, Vanysah Hickman, Eli Maulding, Addissen Ulitzsch, Elijah Heeren, Caleb Mustered, Ellie Simpson

The team is coached by science teachers Troy J. Simpson and Ashley O’Brien and high school math teacher Nick Harvey.

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