Science Olympiad competes at their State competition.

Jacqueline McMahon, Staff Writer • April 17, 2025

Science Olympiad students celebrate the competition outcomes.

On April 5, the Science Olympiad team went to their final competition of the year.

The leaders of Science Olympiad, Melissa Vigil and Joe Mlakar, supported the students through the competition and the preparation before it.

“Seeing kids in their element, performing well, and then being rewarded with medals was really exciting.” Vigil said.

Although the team was hopeful to get first place and move onto the National competition, the team unfortunately placed second and third place, not qualifying for Nationals.

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“Our top team earned 17 medals. Our second place team earned 14 medals, and the homeschool students placed first, and earned 13 medals.” Vigil said, “So we outperformed them in most events, but we had two events that didn’t go our way.”

The Science Olympiad will restart their season in the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year. The information meeting will be held in September.

“By late September, early October, we put kids on teams and in events. And then we start studying.” Vigil said.

The Science Olympiad team is hopeful that their next season will be more successful, but they are happy with all of the great memories they made this season.

“I’m lucky, because I feel like I get to work with some of the best people in the building. And I’m really proud of them.” Vigil said.

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About the Contributor

Jacqueline McMahon, Staff Writer

Jacqueline McMahon is a freshman at Fossil Ridge High School and this is her first year on the Etched In Stone staff. She took journalism as an alternative to traditional English classes and enjoyed the freedom it offered so much that she joined Journalism II the next semester. Outside of journalism, she enjoys math and art. She goes to Art Club and most enjoys pottery because she can “shape it into anything.”

McMahon grew up in Fort Collins with her older brother and sister. Her main hobby is dance, which she has done since she was two years old. Her best and favorite dance style is tap, but she also enjoys contemporary. Her favorite shows include “Gilmore Girls” and “Dance Moms”.

Looking toward the future, McMahon wants to attend either University of Colorado Boulder or Florida State University to become a teacher. Her goal is to teach middle school. McMahon wants to live in Florida because of the years her family vacationed there along with the warm weather and beaches.

McMahon’s main goal this semester is to expand her writing with articles on a variety of topics. She also looks forward to interviewing people, as it is one of her favorite parts of journalism.