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Special Awards

Virginia Science Olympiad could not happen without all of the amazing volunteers and coaches that work with students and make the tournaments happen. Each year, VASO recognizes the work of many of these people.

Individual tournament awards are located on Duosmium.

Rookie Team of the Year

A "rookie team" is a team in its first or second year of competing. A team may be considered a rookie team if it has been at least 5 years since the school competed.

Year
Division B
Division C
2023
Greenbriar West ES
BASIS Independent McLean
2022
Rachel Carson MS
Alexandria City HS
2021
Brambleton MS
Independence HS
2020
BASIS Independent McLean
Stafford HS
2019
Spring Hill ES
Blacksburg HS
2018
Spring Hill ES
Blacksburg HS
2017
Navy ES
South County HS
2016
Harper Park MS
Rock Ridge HS
2015
Nysmith School
West Springfield HS
2014
Langston Hughes MS
Albemarle HS
2013
Forest Edge ES
WT Woodson HS

Coach of the Year

Name
Year
School
Division
Tucker Trissell
2023
Glasgow MS
Div B
Hannah Hannah
2023
Riverside HS
Div C
Susan Boomer & Julie Cox
2022
Longfellow MS
Div B
Katharine Davis & Susanna Dana
2022
Blacksburg HS
Div C
Sharon Dykoff
2021
Dominion Christian School
Div B
Christine Gamache
2021
Chantilly HS
Div C
Nick Kilpatrick
2020
Churchill Rd ES
Div B
Mario Saavedra
2020
Independence HS
Div C
Margie Poppe
2019
Lanier MS
Div B
Katherine Hussman
2019
Oakcrest School
Div B & C
Anbu Vijay
2018
Frost MS & Willow Springs ES
Div B
Ellen Babcock
2018
Woodson HS
Div C
Melissa Booker
2017
Robinson HS
Div C

Team of the Year

Replaced in 2017 by "Coach of the Year"

Year
Div B
Div C
2016
Greenbriar West ES
Langley HS
2015
Providence ES
Fairfax HS
2014
Louise Archer ES
James Madison HS
2013
Churchill Road ES
Hayfield SS
2012
Glasgow MS
Charlottesville HS

K.W. Emmons
Volunteer of the Year

Name
Year
Role
Alan Borhauer
2023
Board, Div A Lead, Div B Event Group Lead
Sam Tennison
2023
Board Secretary, Coach, Forensics Expert
Andrew Skinner
2022
Vice-Chair VASO Board, Event Supervisor
Dan-Tam Nguyen
2022
Chair VASO Board, Event Supervisor
Deanna Burstein
2022
Scoreroom Lead
Ian Emmons
2022
Technology Leader, Materials Manager
Gwyn Schloer
2021
VT Tournament Lead
Kira Emmons
2021
De Facto Assistant State Director, Event Creator
Sunny Makwana
2021
VT Volunteer Coordinator
Lillian Sun Tadlock & Sumei Wang
2020
Volunteer Coordinators
Swaraj Dhumne
2020
Scoreroom Lead
Emily Owens, Leah Puhlick, Anita Sahai
2019
Regional Directors
Tim Harazin
2019
Appeals Committee, State Director Emeritus
Meredith & John Haines
2018
Life Science Event Group Leaders
Abe McAllister
2017
Photogate Designer
Sue McGovern
2017
Hospitality Organizer

Prior to 2023, the award was known just as the

"Volunteer of the Year".

Coach Years of Service

Coach
10 Years of Coaching
20 Years of Coaching
30 Years of Coaching
Cathy Williams
2019
Leah Puhlick
2021
Crystal Nabers
2017
Faye Lavenhouse
2023
Kursten Szabos
2023
Sam Tennison
2023
Anbu Vijay
2022
Aubrie Holman
2022
Clark Lindgren
2022
Emily Owens
2022
Kate Anderson
2022
Mario Saavedra
2022
Christine Gamache
2021
Ellen Babcock
2021
Matt Shields
2020
Paul Vickers
2018
Anita Sahai
2017
Beth Chung
2017
Christine Lyons
2017
Susan Boomer
2017
Jennifer Ezzell Stowe
2016
Roli Agrawal
2016
Alan Borhauer
2015
Bill Ferzoco
2014
Kim Olsen
2014
Melissa Booker
2013
Judy Barrile
2012
Ray Leonard
2012
Ron Occhiogrosso
2012
Distinguished Service Award

Awarded to
Karen Emmons
in 2022

For a DECADE of Leadership as

State Director of Virginia Science Olympiad

BUILDING a Strong Community

of Schools, Coaches, and Volunteers

Who Share a Passion for STEM,

EXPANDING our Reach Across the State,

ADAPTING at Every Turn, even in a Pandemic,

and PREPARING this Organization

for a Successful Future.

Thank You for Your Dedication.

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