Middle School North Science Olympiad advances to state
The Hawthorn Middle School North Science Olympiad Team placed first at the Neuqua Valley Division B Regional Competition in early March. This success qualifies the team to compete at the Illinois State competition, which will take place April 13 at the University of Illinois in Champaign.
The students from grades 6-8 competed against 32 other teams in events that tested their skills in earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, engineering and scientific problem-solving.
Coached by middle school science teacher Kerrie Hartnett and middle school substitute teacher and parent Cynthia Frayman, the varsity team received medals in 20 of 23 events, including five first-place finishes. In addition, the two junior varsity teams placed fifth and 13th, respectively.
Cynthia Frayman said the 59 students from all of the teams have been practicing since early October to prepare for competitions.
"The biggest key to our students' success on our team is their perseverance and determination," Frayman said. "Our kids are the best. These students work with their partners and coaches after school and on weekends every week. It's not uncommon for our team members to spend much of their free time on their events."
Middle School North expressed a huge thank you to the many volunteers who helped support and challenge the students.
The 2018-19 Hawthorn Middle North Science Olympiad Varsity Team members (in alphabetical order) are: Sonia Alimchandani, Snigdha Chatterjee, Christian Choi, Anika Deshpande, Hailey Diaz, Benjamin Frayman, Ananya Kavatekar, Anton Kornikov, Jessica Leff, Brian Li, Alekskey Lopez, Jacklyn Pak, Beatrice Park, Rishi Ramaiya and Luke Wu.
The team alternates are: Holly Faitsch, Adarsh Jale, Allison Kwon, Matthew Ju, Dylan Lussem, Nitya Mehta, Iris Tom and Apsara Vimalarajah.
Hawthorn School District 73 is a preschool through eighth-grade public school district serving more than 4,200 students. It serves all or portions of the communities of Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Libertyville, Indian Creek and unincorporated areas of Lake County.
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