Former co-leader of Science Olympiad junior Ilsa Olsen said when reflecting on Science Olympiad, part of what made the club special to her was the adviser Jenny Madgal.

“(Magdal) was so great (as the adviser). I love Ms. Magdal and she always made it so fun. She was so organized, but I’m really glad that she has made time for other things and is not as busy which can be really stressful,” Olsen said.

Former member of Science Olympiad junior Caroline Garland said Magdal was an entertaining adviser for the club.

“I am really sad the Science Olympiad club is being canceled because I thought it was really fun. Last year was my first year (participating in Science Olympiad), and I didn’t want it to be my last year doing it either,” Garland said. “I liked the club because it was led by Ms. Magdal. We did lots of fun things together as a group and it was a non-stressful way to do science in a tournament like structure.”

According to Olsen, Science Olympiad has been a big part of her life for many years.

“I feel really sad because I started doing (Science Olympiad) when I was in sixth grade, which was the first year they had it at the middle school. People found need for a science based club, and (Science Olympiad) has been a really big part of my life these past five years,” Olsen said. “I was a little disappointed it didn’t continue and with how we couldn’t find an adviser.”

Former co-leader of Science Olympiad junior Caley Hanson-Mahoney said finding an adviser to replace Magdal was a difficult task that couldn’t be done.

“We couldn’t find a science teacher because most science teachers are really busy and teach a lot of classes. A lot of them coach sports or already run other clubs, so it was just tricky to find an adviser,” Hanson-Mahoney.

Olsen said Science Olympiad benefited her life and her experience will influence her future plans.

“The different events Science Olympiad has been to has really opened my eyes to career paths,” Olsen said. ”I found a huge interest in anatomy, and we did Crime Busters which was really interesting too. I think (the club has) made me a better person.”

According to Hanson-Mahoney, there are other academic clubs that can fulfill the fun learning needs of members who participated in Science Olympiad.

“It’s too bad (Science Olympiad) isn’t happening this year. I think there were a lot of people that enjoyed it, but I think for a lot of the members, (Science Olympiad) wasn’t their only activity,” Hanson-Mahoney. “I think there are a lot of other clubs that are good for kids who like Science Olympiad.”

Magdal declined to comment on the situation.