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'Save WYSE': Gallatin champs start campaign to save the state competition

GALLATIN COUNTY - Though a Thursday banquet was meant to be celebratory for the Gallatin County Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering team, the tone was somewhat somber.

The banquet honored the team, which won the state WYSE competition in its class for the third year in a row.

But, WYSE coach Lindsay Adams said joy in the team's success was tempered by a recent letter stating the competition will not continue next year.

On May 18, each WYSE coach and test coordinator was notified from the state coordinator's office in the College of Engineering at University of Illinois Champaign that WYSE will not continue.

According to the letter, "the combination of decreased student participation with the withdrawal of several regional and sectional sites has made it increasingly difficult to direct resources to the program."

The Gallatin County team was "shocked and devastated," Adams said.

Adams said her team wants WYSE to continue, and that team members have created a "Save IL WYSE" campaign on social media. The team's goal is to rally teams and individuals from across the state in all divisions to plead U of I to keep the academic challenge. The Gallatin WYSE team also has contacted current regional and sectional test coordinators and former WYSE advisory board members to gain further insight into the decision behind the cancellation of the contest.

Adams said team members are not convinced the explanation they have been given, declining participation, is accurate.

"While there still remains a lot of test coordinators to respond, those who have reported an increase in participation in recent years," Adams said. "We also learned that the major operating costs, those being test authoring and the director's salary, were covered by the cost of registration; therefore a lack of funds was not an issue.

"It was also brought to our attention that the head WYSE coordinator is no longer with the University of Illinois as of now."

While at the moment the competition remains on hold for future years, she said there is a glimmer of hope. After sending many emails and letters and making phone calls, there appears to be interest from other colleges in taking over as host of the program next year.

Meanwhile, Adams said, her team plans to make the best of the celebrating they had planned this school year. She also has asked the public to join the team's social media campaign.

The "Save WYSE" page may be found on Facebook.

A message left at U of I's College of Engineering was not returned.

SUBMITTED BY LINDSAY ADAMSMembers of Gallatin County's WYSE team visit with state Rep. Natalie Phelps Finnie at the state Capitol. Phelps Finnie and Secretary of State Jesse White invited the three-time WYSE champions. While there, the team advocated for continuation of the state WYSE contest.
Members of Gallatin County's WYSE team visits the state Capitol at the invitation of state Rep. Natalie Phelps Finnie and Secretary of State Jesse White. While there, the team advocated for continuation of the state WYSE contest. SUBMITTED BY LINDSAY ADAMS