David Zhou ’26 hatched the idea of a Bird Club at Wilbraham & Monson Academy at the start of the school year.

In mid-November it was time for David to test his wings to see if he was ready to fly. He was ready.

Teaming with Jayden Lee-Choi ’26, David placed sixth in the Ornithology Category on Nov. 16 at the Cornell Science Olympiad Invitational Tournament in Ithaca, New York.

WMA sent 13 students to the event, which included 26 categories at the competition that drew 58 high schools.

“Science Olympiad allows students to explore science much more in depth,” explained Dr. John Strauss, WMA’s Science Olympiad Faculty Advisor. “They get to demonstrate their talent and understanding against the country’s brightest. There are no leagues; invitationals are by application. There is a single state tournament where the top team goes to regionals, then nationals.”

Quotes from David and Jayden

David on winning an award at Cornell: “I’m so excited to have won an award in ornithology at the Cornell event. It’s incredible to see my love for birds turn into something tangible. This event was a great chance to test my knowledge and learn even more about ornithology. I’m really proud of this achievement.”

David on what he enjoys about Science Olympiad: “What I enjoy most about the Science Olympiad is the combination of teamwork and exploring fascinating topics. Whether it’s studying bird habitats or preparing for lab events, there’s always something new to learn. It’s a chance to challenge myself, grow my curiosity and share it with others who are just as passionate.” 

Jayden on winning an award at Cornell: “Winning an award at the Cornell event was a really exciting and validating experience. It was rewarding to see our hard work pay off, especially in such a competitive environment. The event pushed us to think critically and problem-solve under pressure, which made the recognition feel even more meaningful.”

Jayden on what he enjoys about Science Olympiad: “What I enjoy most about Science Olympiad is the opportunity to explore science beyond the classroom and explore subjects that are not typically taught in a class. The competitions challenge me to apply what I know while learning new skills along the way. I also enjoy working with my teammates in a competitive environment.”