Science Olympiad Team Essay

Being on the Science Olympiad team at my middle school was something of a great honor. Our team was renowned for doing well at the state level and for consistently qualifying for the national tournament. They had a tradition of excellence, and they wore it well. To even be considered, hopeful applicants had to take a grueling two-hour test about general science knowledge. Some were outright rejected, and the lucky few that qualified were sorted between a junior varsity team and a varsity team. When I learned that I was to become one of the only two freshmen on the varsity team, I was ecstatic, excited, and more than a little surprised.
After I overcame my initial shock, the grind began, and time passed like a blitz. Partnerships formed, events were assigned, and the studying started. I prepared for the tournaments in much the same way that I prepared for anything else: I studied as told,

Some failing of mine that I didn’t quite understand not only adversely affected me but hurt my team as well. I didn’t enjoy that feeling, but I did come to value the experience. Things had to change, and they did. I resolved to become a better person and teammate.
The next year, I changed my work ethic. I relied less on teachers and more on myself. I supplemented the set curriculum with my own research and review, organized study sessions with my partners outside of the prescribed learning hours, and found new materials to study. In one event, my partner and I didn’t really have a guiding figure. We just learned by ourselves. I was more involved and proactive than ever.
When the state tournament came again, a very different picture than last year resolved. This time, I earned four gold medals, the most that any person received at that tournament. At the national tournament, I became the only person in my state’s delegation to be granted a national medal. I performed well, and I positively contributed to my team. I was extremely