Alumni
Lt. Dan Berschinski, former Science Olympiad team member from Booth Middle School and a West Point graduate, pictured on duty in Afghanistan.
In honor of Veterans Day 2009, we’d like to thank all of our country’s military veterans and their families.
Many Science Olympiad alumni have gone on to successful careers in the US Armed Forces, and today, we want to share the story of one of our own -- Lt. Dan Berschinski, a 24-year-old soldier who recently served in Afghanistan and lost both legs when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) while his unit secured a village. Lt. Dan is now at Walter Reed Medical Center, recovering while surrounded by friends and loved ones. Later, we’ll give you a link to his blog where you can read posts on his progress and find out how to get in touch and send a note to cheer him on.
For three years, Dan was a valued member of the Science Olympiad team at JC Booth Middle School in Peachtree City, Georgia. His coach, Mary Wilde, still a close friend of the family, recalls that Dan and his parents were very involved and supportive of Science Olympiad. “While he was on the team, he won gold in Road Scholar and also did well in Reach for the Stars and Trajectory,” said Coach Wilde.
Since being wounded on August 20, 2009, Lt. Dan has endured several surgeries and faces months of rehabilitation. Recently, he conquered a real milestone at the hospital, standing up for the first time! His story has gained the attention of many local and national publications, so please visit his blog to read articles in The Washington Post, The Stars and Stripes and The Tacoma News Tribune. Just this past week, Lt. Dan was honored to meet former Georgia Senator and triple amputee Max Cleland, Hon. John McHugh, the Secretary General of the Army, and not lastly, President Barack Obama. After greeting the President personally, Lt. Dan was asked to attend a Purple Heart award ceremony for SPC Sean Burke, a fellow Walter Reed patient recovering from an IED attack who has benefited from Lt. Dan’s friendship and support.
Coach Wilde remembers Dan as a quiet leader, one whose actions spoke louder than words. “He was dedicated and focused as a student, and I am told that Daniel led his Army unit with that same commitment.” Although years have passed since Dan graduated, Coach Wilde thought of him often, remembering his great sense of humor or how much fun it was to have him on student/teacher trips abroad. “I always felt Daniel was an inspiration. Now, as a soldier, he’s an even bigger inspiration, to all of us.”
Dan and his family are glad to share their story with the Science Olympiad family, and have given us permission to post this information, so please feel free to reach out if you’d like. Read about Dan’s progress at:
http://danberschinski.blogspot.com/
Mail can be sent to Dan at:
Lt Dan Berschinski
c/o Walter Reed Medical Hospital
Bldg 2 Ward 57
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington DC 20307
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Once you've been a part of Science Olympiad, you're tagged for life. I am a Science Olympiad alum! Say it out loud and chances are you'll turn a few million heads. Over the past 26 years, Science Olympiad has assembled an alumni base larger than most major universities. We hope to hear from more and more of you, so please fill out our Alumni Survey so we can stay in touch.
In 2010, we plan to launch the Science Olympiad Foundation, largely because of you. Check out the Foundation web page for more details on our goals, mission and how you can help.
"As a 5th grader, I became hooked on Science Olympiad thanks to creative events like Straw Towers and Mystery Powders. As I look back on the eight years I participated, I marvel at how Science Olympiad magically made science cool in the eyes of ordinary teenagers. The cheering support of dedicated parents and coaches and the competitive spirit of my friends played an integral part in nurtuting my love for science. I now perform research at the GE Global Research Center and continue to enjoy seeing science make a difference in the world." - Dr. Jed Pack, Imaging Scientist, GE Global Research Center, New York
"Science Olympiad helped me develop my naturally inquisitive nature and it was a great team building and bonding experience." - Aimee Bierman, Attorney, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP
"Science Olympiad really galvanized my pursuit of an engineering career and truly excited me about about becoming an inventor and creator of things." - Scott Cornelson, Design Engineer, Campbell Scientific Inc.
"In high school, Science Olympiad was an integral part of my growing love of science, engineering, and experimentation. I never stopped enjoying the process of design and creation, both in reality and in the computer -- I now work on Google SketchUp and the 3D Warehouse." - Dr. Brian Brewington, Software Engineer, Google
"As a young girl, being on Science Olympiad with other girls created an important support group; together we discovered that women can succeed in the fields of engineering, math and science." - Vanessa Rogers, Management Consultant, IBM
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