A team of eight Independence Elementary students competed at the Michigan Social Studies Olympiad XXXIII and took second place in the state, falling to Anchor Bay’s Ashley Elementary at Grosse Pointe North High School on May 4.
Clarkston Community Schools was well represented at the competition with five of seven elementary school teams finishing in the Elite Eight. The theme of this year’s event was “Core Values of American Democracy.”
The Independence students, nicknamed the “Braincos,” included Slate Campbell, Boone McNaughton, John Peckham, Charlie Popelier, Rodrigo Garcia, Nick Landry, Ethan Heist, and Justin Strader.
“I had butterflies in my stomach the whole time,” said Campbell. “It was intense and nerve-wracking, but it was an amazing experience.”

“None of us could have done as well if we didn’t work as a team,” said Peckham.
“Everything about Quiz Bowl was amazing,” Popelier said. “I had a great time thinking about the questions and working with my friends.”
“It was so exciting,” added McNaughton. “I didn’t think we would make it all the way to the finals. Our team really worked together, and we had a great time.”
The Michigan Social Studies Olympiad is an educational statewide competition for students in grades 3-12. The competition is designed to increase student and teacher interest in social studies education and to provide opportunities for students and teachers to gain individual and team recognition for academic accomplishments. The Social Studies Olympiad encourages the development of strong social studies skill set, participatory experience, social and intellectual interactions, and strengthens personal confidence by through collaboration and competition.