SOUTH BEND — The Stanley Clark School Science Olympiad team is headed to the University of Southern California to compete in the National Science Olympiad Tournament for the first time in 13 years. The Science Olympians came in first out of 35 teams at the Indiana Science Olympiad State Tournament in March.
The Science Olympiad middle school team received a warm send-off from their classmates and State Rep. Maureen Bauer on Friday, May 8. The team is comprised of 13 eighth-graders, four seventh-graders and one sixth-grader.
“I was definitely really surprised that we won state,” eighth grader Jai Gaba said. “I was certainly very impressed with our team and how well we did in so many different categories.
“But it’s really all thanks to our coach Ms. Kurnyak,” Jai said.
There are 23 different categories the students compete across; all the students on the team are competing in at least two categories. These categories span a wide variety of sciences from engineering and meteorology to car building and even poison and potions.
“So, in the fall, there’s a questionnaire that they fill out, give [us] their top 10 and we’ll try to put them where they want to go,” Science Olympiad coach Patrick Cobb said. “We try to give them at least something in their top 10 and with their coaches as well.”
The head coaches, seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher Kurnyak and fifth- and sixth-grade science teacher Cobb weren’t the only ones who coached the students. Parents volunteered to help coach the students in one or more categories.
“I think it kind of shows how much your parents love you and want what’s best for you,” seventh grader Nora Phillip said. “And it kind of shows how far they’ll go to help you since life.”
The entire school stood lined in front of the main entrance waving hand-drawn posters and screaming with excitement as the Science Olympians walked to the Laura and Jack Boyd Jr. Performing Arts Center. The team’s celebrations continued with an energized assembly trumpeting the achievement.
Studying and practicing for the state tournament begins in September. Because the team has made it to nationals, their hard work continues through May. Each category a student participates in requires them to practice once each week on top of their regular studies and athletics.
“They worked hard. This is the longest season. This is longer than basketball season, longer than soccer season,” Kurnyak said. “We start in September; we are still going strong.”
Bauer presented the team with a proclamation celebrating their accomplishments. She said the proclamation is en route from Indianapolis.
“I extend my sincere congratulations to the students, the teachers and parent volunteers on this momentous accomplishment and wish them success as they compete in the Science Olympiad Nationals,” Bauer said in her speech.
Kurnyak said the team cumulatively has 42 years of Science Olympiad experience. Across the coaches and parent volunteers, they have a cumulative 77 years of Science Olympiad coaching experience.
“Each student represents months of dedication, teamwork, creativity and problem solving,” Kurnyak said. “Our students have generously shared their time, knowledge and encouragement while students have also committed themselves to learning, practicing and pushing beyond their limits.”
Email Tribune staff writer Juliane Balog at jbalog@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: The Stanley Clark School Science Olympiad Team is going to nationals
Reporting by Juliane Balog , South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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