Staff Writer
Captains
Meera Nagaraj, Tanya Qureshi, and Adam Zeid led the Apex High School varsity
and junior varsity Science Olympiad teams to place at the top of the regional
competition at Campbell University on Saturday February 7. With their regional
win the varsity members will advance to the state competition at N.C. State on
April 25. This is the third year in a row that Apex has placed first at
regionals. The team met twice a month to work on the computer and collaborate
with partners. Carol Bost, the team sponsor, describes the dynamics as “a
highly supportive team with very independent captains.” Captain Nagaraj affirms
that, “These last two years I have learned how to be a leader. We all worked
together to make sure everyone was on top of things.”
Members
of this year’s team reflected positively on the year. Senior Simran Koura
competed in the “Cell Biology” event at regionals and explains how, “It relates
to medicine which is a field I’m considering as a career.” Koura says she also
enjoyed the teamwork and learning process. Sophomore Michael Carter competed in
the “Scrambler,” event and hopes to improve his machine for states. “I was
building my scrambler two nights before the competition, and I’m definitely
going to make some changes.” Sophomore Skanda Sastry competed for the junior varsity
team, but placed first overall (including all varsity teams) in the “Crave the
Wave” event. Sastry says he has not only enjoyed competing, but experienced “practical
science beyond what is taught in the classroom.” He will be competing as a
member of the varsity team on April 25 at N.C. State. The team hopes to place
higher than previous years, upholding their philosophy, “Make it Win.”
