Van Nuys Science Olympiad in its element

The Van Nuys High School Science Olympiad team has made it to State 2016! With Keshan Huang as captain, this student-run team that consists of 15 competitors has once again outdone themselves in competing against other schools.

This year, along with 30 other teams beside Van Nuys, the Regionals was held at Antelope Valley College on Feb. 13.

The competition held 23 various events, with subjects ranging from anatomy and physiology to forensics and cell biology.

For most of the events, each participating school featured two contestants. Because of these team-oriented contests, the schools were required to practice much of their teamwork in order to finish their given tasks.

As the competition progressed, Van Nuys was able to score first place in two different events: Astronomy won by Huang and Matthew Michilot (for two years in a row!) and Invasive Species won by Clare Kanchana and David Park.

The top six players from each event received medals for their accomplishments, and Van Nuys was able to receive medals in a total of ten events. Only five teams are able to make it to States, and Van Nuys, proudly being placed in 4th of the 31 teams, obtained the opportunity of making it to State.

Although the team is fairly new in its being, they have far exceeded expectations by making to State this year.

“In addition to forming deeper friendships with my teammates and watching them grow throughout the years, I love and embrace the fact that we are truly a student-run team,” said Captain Huang.

With the help of Ms. Fuhrman’s grateful leadership as coach, this team has justifiably pushed themselves to the next round; judging by these results, their performance in the States is greatly anticipated.

–Jeehyun Kim