Gallatin WYSE team wins state – again

GALLATIN COUNTY – Gallatin County High School's Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering team won the Illinois State Championship for the second year in a row Tuesday, sponsor Lindsay Adams said.

The varsity WYSE team is made of 14 students skilled in a variety of academic areas. Each team member takes two tests during the competition, which is divided into biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering graphics, English, math and physics.

The Hawks took top honors, with Christopher finishing in second place, Adams said.

Aaron Walters was an individual winner, placing fifth in engineering graphics.

"We only have our score right now, so we don't know how close it was, but it was interesting that two teams from southern Illinois placed first and second, I thought," she said.

She and co-sponsor Billyjoe Menard attribute the team's success to the dedication and hard work of the team members, she said.

"I think we have community support now, and a student body that wants to participate," she said. "For example, this is spring break for us, and a bunch of kids gave up spring break and Florida vacations so they could take two tests."

Besides placing first in 2016, GCHS also placed fourth in 2015 and second in 2013, Adams said.