Port Jefferson Science Olympiad Team Wins 3 State Medals

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — The Port Jefferson Science Olympiad A team won three medals at the New York state competition on April 10, according to the school district.

Earl L. Vandermeulen High School competed against teams from across the state in the virtual showdown. Port Jefferson’s A team placed 36th out of 68 teams. There were 15 events and the top 10 teams in each event won medals.

Congratulations to the state medal winners:

• 10th Place, Anatomy — Natalie McGuigan and Ben Perez-Flesler
• Eighth Place, Water Quality — Ben Perez-Flesler and William Wu
• Fifth Place, Sounds of Music — Hugo Onghai and Peggy Yin

"I am so impressed with the results and adaptability of this team to a virtual competition," high school science teacher and coach Amanda Brideson said via news release. "Winning three state medals is an amazing result, and it really shows how much work and dedication this team puts in! They should all be really proud of themselves as a competitor and a team."

Coach Nicole Sklar shared Brideson's enthusiasm and pride for the students.

Additional participants were Gani Ates, Nick DeDonato, Teppei Fukuto, Liam Gameng, Justin Garcia, Kasumi Layne-Stasik, Ricky Melucci, Andrew Patterson and Logan Shaffer.

"In good sportsmanship fashion, the Port Jefferson School District, coach Brideson, coach Sklar and all the student-participants wish Great Neck High School, their fellow competitors from Long Island, the best of luck in the National Science Olympiad competition," the district wrote.