South Point student takes second place

There were a few obstacles in the way, schedule-wise, in getting there, but a Gunner Davidson took home the big trophy on Tuesday for this year’s Lawrence County Science Fair.

First, the initial date for the county fair was canceled, due to snow, then, another complication came up when the makeup date was scheduled for students to present their projects, the following Monday.

Davidson’s family had scheduled a vacation to Disney World, and, according to Lawrence County ESC superintendent Eric Floyd, the fair meant so much to Davidson, he nearly backed out of the trip.

But, after talking with the ESC, the family was able to make arrangements for the Chesapeake Middle School sixth grader to present his project to judges, which included Floyd, via video from his family’s hotel room.

“He had a video and answered questions,” Floyd said. 

Davidson’s project, “What cleans wrestling mats best?” tested various types of cleaners, and not only earned him the first place trophy, but also a score of 40 and a Superior ranking, enabling him to go onto the district fair at The University of Rio Grande later this school year.

Coming in second was Ciara McComas, a fifth grader at South Point Elementary School, for “The Amazing Rodent Race,” in which she ran a rat through a maze. She also earned a Superior ranking at the county level and a score of 39.6.

Overall, 30 students took part in the county fair, after earning an Excellent or Superior ranking at their individual school fair.

Third place went to Caleb Black, of Chesapeake Middle School, a seventh grader, for “Which fertilizer will make soybeans grow faster?” The project earned him a score of 39 and a Superior ranking.

Fourth place was awarded to Waylon Mitchell, a Burlington Elementary School fifth grader, for “Electromagnetism,” with a score of 38.8 and a Superior ranking.  

And fifth place was Shade Gibson, a sixth grader at Chesapeake Middle School, for “Bridge Busters,” which earned him a Superior ranking and a score of 38.3

Students who earn a Superior or Excellent ranking can go onto the district fair.

Other Superior rankings were: Korie Copley, Parker Hamlin, Landon Pauley and Chase Hamlin.

Excellent rankings were Hunter Hollback, Cheyenna Stallo, Lyndlee Edwards, Kennedy Johnson, Kingston Pickett, Raylee Skeens, Nahla Robinson, Jadiana Gilliam, Elliot Thackers, Noah Shafer, Sawyer Hutchinson, Myles Joy, Kylee Dople, Bryer Lee, Easton Wood, Avery Crager, Addison Boggs, Jaylee Caynar, Brantlee Shafer, Braelynn Browning, Rylan Deem and Paislee Jones.

The fair is organized by the ESC, who also handles the county’s spelling bee and Quiz Bowl tournaments.