Liberty scores ‘three-peat’ in Alabama State Science Olympiad

MADISON – Not once. Not even twice. But for three consecutive years in a ‘three-peat,’ the Science Olympiad Team at Liberty Middle School has claimed the State Championship in the Alabama State Science Olympiad Tournament at Auburn University on March 29.

In this stellar performance, Liberty’s team established a school record by winning the state championship three times in a row for 2023, 2024 and 2025. With their victory, Liberty qualified to enter the Science Olympiad’s national competition.

In fact, the Liberty Science Olympiad Team has won four state championships since 2021.

Karen Price coaches the team. Price teaches sixth-grade science and serves as Department Lead, Science Olympiad and Science Bowl Coach and Space Camp Coordinator for sixth-graders.

Early in the 2024-2025 school year, Liberty students started after-school practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They participated in a few invitational tournaments in Georgia and Tennessee.

The team then entered the North Alabama Regional Tournament on March 8 at Athens State University. Liberty secured first place at regionals and qualified for the state tournament at Auburn. Liberty was among 10 other schools statewide that qualified for the state meet.

For the state Olympiad, Liberty’s team had 15 students who participated in all 23 events, which covered Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, Astronomy and Engineering Builds, parent volunteer Suresh Avula said. The team earned first place in eight events, second place in seven events and third place in two events.

Liberty’s team will travel to the National Science Olympiad at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb. on May 23-24 for their third consecutive trip to Nationals.

“In the 2024 Nationals at the University of Michigan, two Liberty students, Heidi Leonard and Harstha Chander, were medaled in two events, “Microbe Mission” (sixth place) and “Can’t Judge a Powder” (fourth place). This was out of 60 schools from around the country!” Price said.

Currently, the Liberty Science Olympiad team is preparing for Nationals with Price’s guidance, hoping to repeat the success.

“I am just so honored to lead a group of highly determined and self-motivated students. These students have worked so hard in preparing for their events and creating a unity within the team,” Price said.

“To be able to represent the state of Alabama at this highly regarded competition is quite remarkable, and our students are so excited about this opportunity. Liberty Middle School has some incredible students, and I’m the lucky one to be able to work with them and fan the flame of their passion for science,” Price said.

In addition, Price acknowledged outstanding parents whose constant support for their children and the school is unwavering. “This program wouldn’t be where it is today without such great influence from the parents,” Price said.

Liberty students won top-place honors at the Alabama State Science Olympiad Tournament:

• Jason Chacko/Jackson Leonard — Air Trajectory, first place.

• Daksh Sunil/Eiliyah Hafiez — Anatomy and Physiology, second place.

• Jason Chacko/Jonah Yang/Rohin Seal — Codebusters, first place.

• Natasha Lobo/Ananya Shankar — Crime Busters, first place.

• Natasha Lobo/Shravan Balaji Disease Detectives, third place.

• Jason Chacko/Jackson Leonard — Dynamic Planet, first place.

• Jonah Yang/Daksh Sunil — Ecology, third place.

• Shravan Balaji/Rohin Seal/ Isadora Bao — Experimental Design, second place.

• Prahaas Avula /Jonah Yang Fossils, second place.

• Jason Chacko/Rohin Seal – Helicopter, second place.

• Colin Krefting/Ananya Shankar- Meteorology, first place.

• Daksh Sunil/Eiliyah Hafiez Microbe Mission, second place.

• Caroline Dervan/Taryn De-Spain – Mission Impossible, second place.

• Prahaas Avula /Rohin Seal Optics, first place.

• Jonah Yang/Jason Chacko Road Scholar, first place.

• Colin Krefting/Eiliyah Hafiez Tower, first place.

• Natasha Lobo/Taryn DeSpain Write it Do it, second place.