Cape Hatteras Secondary School’s Science Olympiad teams excel at Regional Tournament

Cape Hatteras Secondary School (CHSS) Science Olympiad teams earned top placements at the Regional Science Olympiad Tournament, held Saturday, March 1, at East Carolina University. This year’s competition was the largest regional Science Olympiad in North Carolina, with more than 20 teams in each division.
CHSS students demonstrated exceptional scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills, earning high placements in multiple events. Two CHSS teams won first place and will advance to the state Science Olympiad Tournament at North Carolina State University:
- 1st Place – Disease Detectives: Rylee Oberbeck & Becca Fitch
- 1st Place – Electric Vehicle: Sofia Bills & Jack Fuller
CHSS Science Olympiad Regional Results
Division B (competing against 21 teams)
- 4th Place – Anatomy & Physiology: Camryn Hedgepeth & Gary Austin
- 5th Place – Codebusters: William Raez, Sam Davis & Gary Austin
- 3rd Place – Fossils: Ben Galleo & Camryn Hedgepeth
- 4th Place – Potions & Poisons: Sam Davis & Ella Ransom
- 5th Place – Scrambler: William Raez & Daniel Briones-Avila
Division C (competing against 26 teams)
- 5th Place – Air Trajectory: Liam Van Druten & Chris Myers
- 8th Place – Entomology: Stella Galleo & Marissa Liner
- 6th Place – Geologic Mapping: Max Syrrist & Marissa Liner
- 5th Place – Material Science: Taylor Hickman & Liam Van Druten
- 3rd Place – Microbe Mission: Rylee Oberbeck & Taylor Hickman
This year marks the tenth consecutive year of CHSS’ participation in Science Olympiad. The team is coached by CHSS teachers Jessica Polk and Julianna Gorges. Team members include Gretchen Altman, Gary Austin, Sofia Bills, Alaina Bonanni, Sam Davis, Becca Fitch, Devon Fulcher, Stella Galleo, Seaton Hawpe, Camryn Hedgepeth, Taylor Hickman, Audrey Kramer, Marissa Liner, Joan McEwan, Mitxi Morales Aburto, Rylee Oberbeck, Ella Ransom, Daniel Briones-Avila, Jack Fuller, Ben Galleo, Julian Garcia, Nate Garcia, Chris Myers, Yael Padilla-Luna, William Raez, Paizley Schultz, Max Syrrist, Liam Van Druten, and Adair Zavala-Roldan.
The CHSS Science Olympiad team extends its gratitude to Dare County Schools, the Hatteras Island Youth Education Fund, and the CHSS Booster Club for their support in making this trip possible.
About North Carolina Science Olympiad (NCSO)
North Carolina Science Olympiad (NCSO) is a NC State University program with a mission to attract and retain K-12 students pursuing degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Each year, NCSO hosts tournaments on university, community college, and public school campuses across the state. These tournaments feature rigorous, hands-on, and inquiry-based competitions across various STEM disciplines, including biology, earth science, environmental science, chemistry, physics, engineering, and technology.