The Cherry Hill East Science Olympiad team concluded their season at the New Jersey State Finals Tournament. From March 22 to 24, 2022, selected members of the club competed virtually during the three days in their assigned categories after school. East placed overall 14th, and despite their inability to advance to the national level, the team recorded great achievements in the competition.

Aryan Pradhan (‘22) and Stefano Sul (‘22), collaboratively worked together to achieve fifth place in the Bridge category, earning East their sole medal. Although it did not earn East another medal, additional club members had placed on the higher scale in the events of It’s About Time, Remote Sensing and Astronomy, ranking ninth, 10th, and 11th respectively.

As the state competition marked the end for the team this year, president of the East Science Olympiad club, Youjin Park (‘22), reflected on the recent results and overall season.

“For the most part, it was successful, but there is definitely some room for improvement. I think that’s up for the underclassman to continue,” says Park.

Following the late competition, Park highlights the Science Olympiad Invitational Tournament at the University of Pennsylvania (SOUP) as a memorable event of the year for the team. East attended the Sixth Penn Invitational on February 26 to 27, 2022, where members joined on the weekend to compete in various events online. Considering the tough, rigorous competition, East had placed 45th out of 68 teams, earning great experience and learning.
Participating in the tournaments virtually this year, Park comments on the numerous obstacles the club faced this school year.

Park said, “The biggest challenge was that we couldn’t do any labs or projects. It was just taking tests.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the club returned from the prior, inactive school year. Once the members were adjusted back to the normalized school environment, they were greeted with the news that this year’s tournaments were to be held online, virtually. In addition, now canceled for the past two years, East was unable to resume their history of placing at almost every Regional Tournament, caused by the hindrance from the pandemic.

Nonetheless, Park views the future of the East Science Olympiad club optimistically and presents pride in their effort and accomplishment from the year’s competitions. Now that the club has wrapped up their activities for the school year, Park looks ahead beyond his departure with the club following his graduation.

“I hope everyone had a nice experience. I’m looking towards seeing the club grow and I hope more people participate,” says Park.