By Kishal Shah – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Science Club had its first meeting on September 16 to discuss plans regarding an upcoming Invitational and the State Olympiad competitions this year. 

Science Club focuses on advancing students’ understanding and applications of science in nationwide competitions every year.

Co-Advisors Ms. Turcotte and Mr. Stanton helped oversee the first meeting as the officers welcomed new and returning members and discussed events the club will participate in this year. 

“Mr. Stanton and I are Co-Advisors and our responsibilities are to generate interest, hold meetings, work with officers to assign events and build teams, to plan the trips, and assist with fundraising,” Turcotte said. 

Turcotte said the club has several goals for the year.

“I think our goals are the same every year, which are to build teams of students who are serious about science, to help them learn and watch them have fun competing in Science Olympiads at various universities,” Turcotte said. “We hope that our teams take the feedback given at the first competition and use it to improve for the second competition.”

Stanton is excited to watch students compete and to see their love of science grow.

“The shirts say ‘Going for the Gold,’ so that’s definitely on my mind at the end of the day,” Stanton said. “Beyond that, though, my goal is to help make this year a good experience for the teams. They work really hard and they grow in a lot of ways beyond just what they learn from the events they enter. “

Part of what makes the Olympiads a memorable experience is the exploration of each town prior to competition day. 

“Going to an event at Brown in Providence, at MIT or at Harvard in Boston, even at Yale here in New Haven always excites me,” Stanton said. “To see the things that [the students] discover, the people they make friends with, and the opportunities they find at these places. That’s really important.”

Senior President Deepika Chitirala aims for the team to be well prepared for their events, and have a fun experience this year.

“I’m hoping that both of Law’s teams can place at the state competition, but also I hope everyone just has fun with all their events,” Chitirala said. 

Senior Treasurer Madelyn Baranowsky has been an active member of Science Club over the past two years, where she has placed in several events.

“My favorite events to participate in are Forensics and Write It, Do It, which I have been doing since sophomore year,” Baranowsky said. “I hope to get them again this year.”

Junior returning member Aryan Sikhinam also anticipates a successful year after learning from previous competitions.

“I’m hoping to use previous experience from last year’s competitions and improve on my events to try and win some medals this year,” Sikhinam said.