Big Send Off for Wachter`s Science Olympiad Team | Video

Jody Kerzman | 5/19/2010

There was a surprise send-off ceremony at Wachter Middle School this morning. Twenty students boarded a bus headed for Illinois, where they will compete in the national Science Olympiad. It`s the first time a team from Bismarck Public Schools has made it that far.

It`s was the kind of send off you`d expect to see for a sports team, but this send off is for the Wachter Middle School`s Science Olympiad team.

They are headed to nationals for the first time in school history. Something these students still can`t believe.

"I`m pretty pumped. It`s pretty amazing," said ninth-grader Danielle Dyke.

What`s even more surprising is their send off. The entire student body gathered outside to surprise the team and give them some final encouragement as they boarded the bus for Illinois.

Ninth-grader Emily Schauer said: "It was a shock. I didn`t think anyone even knew about Science Olympiad.

"It`s not like a sporting event, a lot of kids aren`t aware of it," added Wade Curren, Science Olympiad co-coach. "We`ve made it a big issue in our school to make sure everyone knows about Science Olympiad."

Now, they not only know about Science Olympiad, but many are also hoping that next year they can be a part of a team like this, and earn a return trip to nationals.

Students will be on that bus for about 20 hours. Some plan to do some last minute studying for their Science Olympiad events, others say they`ll watch movies and sleep.

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