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Leo C., a second-grade student at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, has secured third place at the recent regional level of the International Academic Competitions Science Bee, earning him a spot at the upcoming National Science Bee in Orlando, Florida.

Leo's journey began when his LAUNCH teacher, Mr. McClure, introduced him to the competition. Leo recalled, "I must admit I didn’t want to at first." He added, "I liked the spelling bee more, and I didn’t think the science bee would be as much fun. I thought science was useless facts at the time."

While he had his initial reservations, Leo's perspective shifted as he delved deeper into the science bee. "I started to like it more because I realized I'm really good at it," Leo explained. Preparation for the competition involved watching videos, making flashcards, and tackling challenging questions with Mr. McClure. Leo's participation in the LAUNCH program, designed for high-achieving and gifted learners, provided him with valuable support.

Maintaining his observance of Shabbat, Leo participated in the online competition, which was held on Sunday. "The in-person competition was on Shabbat," Leo explained, “so I did the online one, which was held on Sunday, and I still kept Shabbat.” For the upcoming national competition, a unique solution was devised for Leo to compete on Shabbat. Instead of using a buzzer, Leo will indicate he is ready to answer by tapping someone on the shoulder as if they were a buzzer.

Despite facing tough opponents, Leo excelled as the youngest competitor in his division, making it to nationals through hard work and dedication. "There were lots of kids better than me," Leo admitted. He added, "I did really well against smart kids; my hard work paid off when I made it to the finals."

Looking forward to the nationals in Orlando, Leo expressed his excitement, stating, "I didn't think I would do as well as I did. But now that I enjoy it, I'm very excited for nationals." Despite initially favoring spelling competitions, Leo's success in the science bee has ignited a passion for both disciplines.

As he embarks on this exciting adventure, we extend our congratulations and best wishes to Leo. With his talent and determination, there's no doubt he'll continue to shine brightly on the national stage.