Falcons Make Improvements at State Science Olympiad
Three team members bring home seven medals
Southern Pines – A second place finish in the Fayetteville Regionals in February this year qualified the O’Neal Middle School Science Olympiad team for the third consecutive year to compete at the state Science Olympiad tournament at NC State University on April 23rd.
The team managed to place in the top 25% of the 226 participating teams at 48th place. Three of the team members brought home a combination of seven medals which is a five-medal jump from last year’s two medals. Eighth grade students, Sydney Maynor, Zoey Furie and Bray Woodard placed ninth (out of 52 teams) in “Code Busters” – teams decode encrypted messages using cryptanalysis techniques; Sydney Maynor and Bray Woodard placed eighth (out of 52 teams) in “Stuck on Science” – a build ahead creation that is science-themed and primarily made using Duck® Brand duct tape; and Zoie Furie and Bray Woodard placed eighth (out of 52 teams) in “Science Crime Busters” where teams identify the perpetrators of a crime or crimes by analyzing unknown solids, liquids, plastics and DNA found at the crime scene.
Sixth grade student, Ryan Grafenberg, placed 12th in the “Elastic Launch Glider” – building and testing of gliders launched into the air with an elastic band, missing a medal by only a few seconds. Though, not yet in Middle School, fifth grade students Lane Trevarrow and Taylor McKinley also participated getting an extra year of experience.
“This being our third year to compete in the NC Science Olympiad and making it to the state finals each of those years, I am extremely encouraged as to our progress, says Science Olympiad Team Coach Boyd Grayson. “Every year we have medaled in more events, and we have also increased our medal count. As we expand the program in the coming years, an exciting future is unfolding with O’Neal and the Science Olympiad.”
O’Neal Middle School Science Olympiad Team Members are: Lucas Jones, Clara Lussier, Ryan Grafenberg, Nicole Adam, Jamie Wenzel, Taylor McKinley, Lane Trevarrow, Ben Martin, Walker Swanson, Haley Sager, Bray Woodard, Sydney Maynor, Matthew Ryals, Sarah Elmore, Zoie Furie and Talayah Baldwin.
O’Neal is a college preparatory, independent day school serving students from pre-kindergarten age 3 through 12th grade. O’Neal is dedicated to the development of academic excellence, strength of character and physical well-being of its students in an environment where self-discipline, integrity and consideration for others are fundamental. The School is dually accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). Tuition assistance is available.
