Chimacum team wins Spirit Award at statewide science contest

CHIMACUM — Their school district may be David to its Goliath competitors, but students from Chimacum Schools who competed in the statewide Science Olympiad came home with medals, ribbons — and the Spirit Award trophy.

“They were competing against mostly triple-A and quad-A schools and private schools,” said Chimacum science teacher Brett Thomsen. “There are no divisions.”

The Spirit Award, won by the Chimacum High School team, recognizes the group of students who demonstrate exemplary sportsmanship and positive attitude throughout the competition, Thomsen said.

In addition, two of Thomsen’s middle-school students, Joseph Heckel and Jonah Severn, took first place in the Metric Mastery challenge.

“I’ve been doing this for many years, and only had one other first-place finish,” Thomsen said.

“It’s a big deal.”

No other schools in the North Olympic Peninsula competed in the state contest, said Jean Cavanaugh, state director of Science Olympiad.

The Chimacum Middle School team has made it to the state competition for four years straight, Thomsen said.

But this is the first year that the high school team won at the regional level to advance to the state contest.

Held Saturday at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, the state tournament drew teams from 40 schools, which competed in hands-on challenges and tests that demonstrated scientific and engineering skills and knowledge, Thomsen said.

“Chimacum was one of only three small schools to compete,” Thomsen said.

More in News

Port Angeles teachers’ union votes to honor paraeducators’ picket line on April 8

Members of the Port Angeles Education Association voted overwhelmingly… Continue reading

Funding needed for Port Townsend homeless shelter

Operation at Legion Hall to close April 30

Port of Port Angeles renews lease for Composite Recycling Technology Center

Agreement covers 26,000 square feet at airport business park

Fire district volunteers lauded

Clallam County Fire District No. 3 recently recognized seven members… Continue reading

Clallam to continue providing deputy to Forks

Contract includes wages, mileage and maintenance reimbursement

Maintenance closes section of Olympic Discovery Trail

A portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail is closed… Continue reading

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif., members of the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and working with the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Board, remove poisonous hemlock weed from along the Larry Scott Trail in Port Townsend on Monday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Poison hemlock removal in Port Townsend

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif.,… Continue reading

YMCA to build childcare facility

$1-2M still needed for $6.7M project

Port Townsend Police Department recognizes award recipients

The Port Townsend Police Department recognized officers, employees, volunteers… Continue reading

Port Angeles High School evacuated due to bomb threat

Nothing suspicious found, principal says

A tree that has grown out of its tree box and shattered a nearby curb and sidewalk in the 100 block of North Oak Street is among those targeted for removal and replacement in downtown Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles tree and sidewalk replacement to begin Monday

The Port Angeles downtown tree and sidewalk replacement project… Continue reading

Grant for Forks treatment plant to be discussed

The Clallam County Opportunity Fund Advisory Board will discuss… Continue reading