Margaryta Smyrnova

I began playing hockey at the age of eight for the GRAHA foundation ( Patterson ), but only played for a year before picking it up again at twelve. I've been playing with the Griffins Youth Foundation for three years now, and have learned many skills on the ice that have helped with both playing hockey and collaborating with others outside of the sport. One of these vital skills is team effort. As a winger, (offense), its difficult to score when center isn't along the boards, ready to pass to the net or fight for the puck. This helps exemplify how, when one person isn't contributing to the team, whether it be in a group project, sport, or work environment, it becomes increasingly difficult to meet the common goal.

I began going to Blue Lake Fine Arts camp when I was eleven and have gone every year since. My first year, I majored in contemporary theater, my second, in art (drawing/painting), my third, in Shakespearean theater, and this year, I am majoring in contemporary theater again. Although I enjoy theater, I do it more for the social aspect rather than to act. Likewise, I find I work better in groups rather than alone, so its helpful to get feedback from and collaborate with other actors and actresses.

Science Olympiad is a national non-profit organization that hosts team-based STEM competitions for students in grades 6-12.

2024-2025 was the first time I competed in Science Olympiad, so i'm fairly new to the tournament. At our first competition, I placed 37th in Dynamic Planet and 30th in Ecology, which aren't optimal scores for our team. So, instead of giving up, I decided to devote more time to Science Olympiad, and was able to place 19th in Dynamic Planet and 13th in Ecology by regionals. We made it to states, but didn't make it to nationals.

I was part of the props and set crew for my school's Alice in Wonderland, and had lots of fun contributing to the production. I painted set pieces, moved them for scene switches, and also did makeup for a few actors/ actresses backstage. I will again be participating in next year's play as a stage crew member.