After an intense round of tryouts only forty five of eighty hopefuls were accepted into the exclusive Langley science Olympiad team. Science Olympiad is a team that competes against other schools for the coveted national trophy. “If you love science, are a bright student, and you don’t mind being called a geek, you’ll be fine,” states the Langley Science Olympiad website.

The tryouts happened on September 11th and consisted of two parts, a multiple choice exam and the construction of a glider to test its ability to fly. Members of Science Olympiad are excused from having to compete in the science fair which increases its popularity amongst sophomores and juniors. This year, however, the tryouts were even more competitive because of the elimination of Pulsar as a science fair substitute.

“Due to the fact that there was a limit on the number of students from each grade that could be accepted, having experience on the team didn’t ensure your position on the team,” said Mrs. Puhlick. As a result of this, many returning seniors were cut from the team.

Not all seniors, such as Claire Wolter, were able to make the team, but they were understanding about the cuts. “The tryout process was definitely fair. The results of the exam and plane test balanced each other out,” said Wolter.

Lacking incentive from the science fair, freshman competition for a spot on the team was much less intense. Ninth grader Daniel Kim said that “While ten freshmen made the team only one or two were cut.” Kim looks forward to “competing with friends at the events,” this year on the science Olympiad team.