Science Olympiad teams from Paisley Magnet School took first place in the middle school division at a regional competition February 26 at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.

The performance of Paisley’s middle school varsity team qualified the team for entrance in the state tournament on April 15 and16 at North Carolina State University. As a countywide magnet school for the International Baccalaureate Middle School Programme, Paisley is open to students in grades 6 through 10.

The competition in Greensboro was open to middle and high school teams from Alamance, Caswell, Forsyth, Guilford, Orange, Person, Rockingham and Stokes counties. Paisley Magnet School was the only Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School to send a team to Science Olympiad competition. Paisley’s varsity and junior varsity middle school teams both won trophies for their efforts.

Science Olympiad is an international nonprofit association devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers.

The 18 members of Paisley’s varsity team were awarded medals in 22 out of the 25 events in the tournament, finishing first in eight of those events. 

The 17 members of the junior varsity team earned first place finishes in 15 of 25 events. 

Three members of Paisley’s newly formed high school team, competing in its first Science Olympiad meet, took home medals in their individual events. They were Christian Johns, Hanna Mixon and Jade Squires. Other members of the high school team are Julio Alvarado, Greg Bennett, Deniece McCoy, Megan Norton and Josh Watkins.

Members of the varsity team are: Mecaria Baker, Arthur Balwah, Kayla Beckerdite, Brittiany Bridges, Liz Browning, Tyler Carter, Anne Gladstone, Chase Holleman, Jacob Hoyle, Emily Jameson, Jeanette Juran, David Manley, Nicole Nyswonger, Sam Robinson, Gerrit Russ, Andy Sauls, Eden Smemoe and Luke Smith. 

Members of the junior varsity team in the competition were: Jacob Bagley, Emily Bowers, Nicholas Bray, Hayden Clinard, Taylor Cook, Taylor Davis, Zoe Detter, Chris Desmond, Mary Jo Juran, Matt Kellum, Ken Pettigrew, Camille Macie-Rumph, Matt Mixon, Phillip Smith, Andrew Walker and Dylan White. 

The teams are coached by Paisley teachers Sue Whiteside and Claire Spell, as well as parent coaches Felicia Hoyle, Lea Joiner, Robin Maxwell, Beth Juran, Rob Russ and David Sauls.