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
What is a Rookie Team?
2026 & after: A team in its first year at States.
Before 2026: A team in its 1st or 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|
2014 | Langston Hughes MS | Albemarle HS |
2013 | Forest Edge ES | WT Woodson HS |
Coach of the Year
Name | Year | School | Division |
|---|---|---|---|
Juli Kim | 2026 | Cooper MS & Great Falls ES | Div B |
Alex Siragy | 2026 | Tandem Friends School | Div B&C |
Jeff Shivnen | 2025 | Kent Garden ES | Div B |
Deanna Tomanelli & Peter Christy | 2025 | Flint Hill School | Div C |
Anita Sahai | 2024 | Louise Archer MS | Div B |
Ashley Saccomando & Christina Le | 2024 | Centreville HS | Div C |
Lindsay Rusnak & Jen Cortesi | 2024 | Lake Braddock SS | Divs B&C |
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 | Katherine Johnson 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 |
|---|---|---|
Jake O'Brien | 2026 | President of SO@VT |
Jeff & Barbara Steele | 2026 | Long-term Event Supervisors |
Julie Moore | 2025 | Event Supervisor & Administrative Support |
Kacey Meaker | 2025 | Chemistry Materials Organizer |
Chris Waters | 2024 | Long-term Event Supervisor |
Jaisohn Kim | 2024 | Long-term Event Supervisor |
Thomas Lu | 2024 | President of SO@VT |
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".
Coaching Milestones
Coach | 10 Yrs Coaching | 20 Yrs Coaching | 30 Yrs Coaching | School(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Faye Lavenhouse | 2023 | Westfield HS | ||
Kursten Szabos | 2023 | J. Michael Lunsford MS, Freedom HS | ||
Sam Tennison | 2023 | Katherine Johnson MS, Fairfax HS | ||
Anbu Vijay | 2022 | Frost MS, Willow Creek ES | ||
Aubrie Holman | 2022 | Thomas Jefferson HS for Science and Technology | ||
Clark Lindgren | 2022 | Robinson SS, Kilmer MS | ||
Emily Owens | 2022 | Lake Braddock SS | ||
Kate Anderson | 2022 | Thomas Edison HS | ||
Mario Saavedra | 2022 | Farmwell Station MS, Rock Ridge HS, Independence HS | ||
Christine Gamache | 2021 | Chantilly HS | ||
Ellen Babcock | 2021 | W.T. Woodson HS | ||
Matt Shields | 2020 | Charlottesville HS |
Coach | 10 Yrs Coaching | 20 Yrs Coaching | 30 Yrs of Coaching |
|---|---|---|---|
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 |
Virginia Distinguished Service Awards
Dan-Tam Nguyen
2024
For over a DECADE of Service
Bringing your Experience and Expertise to
Virginia Science Olympiad
SHEPHERDING the Board and organization,
CLARIFYING our work and practices,
SHARING your Passion for STEM,
And SHAPING VASO for the Future.
Thank You for Your Dedication.
Karen Emmons
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.
National Awards
Teams Representing VA at the National Tournament
Year | Location | Division B | Division C |
|---|---|---|---|
2014 | University of Central Florida | Longfellow MS | TJHSST |
2013 | Wright State University | Longfellow MS | TJHSST |
2012 | University of Central Florida | Longfellow MS | Langley HS |
2011 | University of Wisconsin - Madison | Kilmer MS | Fairfax HS |
2010 | University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign | Longfellow MS | Langley HS |
2009 | Augusta State University | Longfellow MS | Langley HS |
2008 | George Washington University | Longfellow MS | Langley HS |
2007 | Wichita State University | Longfellow MS | James Madison HS |
2006 | Indiana University | Longfellow MS | Langley HS |
2005 | University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign | Rocky Run MS | Fairfax HS |
2004 | Juniata College | Rachel Carson MS | Fairfax HS |
2003 | Ohio State University | Carl Sandburg MS | Fairfax HS |
SO Distinguished Service Award
2022
For improving the lives of students and teachers by inspiring them to learn, collaborate and achieve excellence in science education through participation in the Science Olympiad.
Awarded to Karen Emmons for service as VA State Director
State Chapter Innovation Award
2019
For Excellence in State Chapter Management & Service
Awarded to Virginia Science Olympiad for the structure of our Registration Program giving high Free & Reduced Lunch schools substantial registration discounts.