WE DID IT!

.WE DID IT! WE DID IT! WE WON!


Yesterday marked the 15th year that FFJH has won the State Science Olympiad—in a row! It was a milestone year and a most incredible feeling. Something about being on the team that did it again against ever more increasing odds fills one up with pride. The little bit about getting to be the one who receives the trophy was nice too.

It’s a funny feeling you get right before an eventful day. All day on Friday I was walking down the halls, I was thinking about how the next time I’d show up at school, everything would be different. Well, it was true—but in a good way, not a bad way, thankfully.

Not only that, but on Saturday morning, we couldn’t help imagining what would happen if we didn’t win, if we broke the streak…14 years of Olympians angry at us, a dead quiet bus ride home, a drab ice cream social…but we won.

We won! Two little syllables that mean so much—in this case, at least. Our team has been preparing for this since October, and to know that effort and work have definitely paid off is a rewarding experience, especially as it promises more fun things to come (in the form of Nationals, which happens to span my birthday).

This is good for other reasons, of course, I have to say that I’m glad this happened, because it’ll hopefully get everyone motivated again and “off their rumps”, as someone so kindly put it. There’s nothing like winning to get people psyched, and nothing like a large golden trophy to make people proud of the team. To be honest, I don’t feel that this year’s team is as close as last years, but I’ve no doubt that that will change now.

Personally, I’m proud of myself and the team I coached. I medaled in every event: a set and an almost-set, lacking a bronze. My Experimental Design team (you’re amazing, guys!!) took silver, matching last year when we had a much more competent coach. It was a success in many ways, although I feel a bit like Apolo Anton Ohno—lots of medals, but not the best ones. Apparently my brother had 4 golds his equivalent year.

The best reason to be energized is that we are going to Nationals and my gold medal goal (<3333 “Smartiepants”) has a possibility of realization. And that is much more than exciting. I have a chance to earn the gold medal I know we can make, and maybe even another—I have my eye on something for Experimental Design (6th? Maybe? 10th last year) and Solar System (please tell me we’ll beat 7th).

It was an exciting day all around, though I swear I’m never taking 5 events again. It’s very hectic to have to run from room to room and event to event in a hurry with little time to study and relax. Be as that may, it’s certainly an experience one ought to have as an Olympian. And really, it’s the experience that counts, for everything. So…

GO TEAM!

(This should've been published last week but I forgot to do so after I wrote it. >>)