Pelham Memorial High School’s Science Olympiad team secured third place at regionals on Feb. 1. Through this, the team has qualified to go to the state championship on March 13-14. 

Science Olympiad is an academic competition consisting of challenges that the participants must complete better and faster than their competitors. Challenges range from memorizing scientific key terms to competing to construct the most supportive miniature bridge.

The head coach of the Olympiad team, Joseph DiBello, said his team was able to score well at regionals because all team members stayed late and put in extra work, in addition to persevering when they encountered problems. While the Pelham team had not qualified in six years, this was coach Dibello’s first win.

The culture of Science Olympiad has changed alongside its fortunes. In an interview, DiBello said he preferred the title “coach,” explaining that it was the team’s win, not his. Team members are excited about going to states in March and some decided to give up their February break to prepare their projects as best they can.

DiBello, ever the realist, said the chances of a win at states were slim.

“The team, however, can learn from this experience, so we can possibly do better next year,” he said.

The team’s medals from this year’s regional competition are as follows: