SHS wins State Science Olympiad; Coach Azza Ezzat named Coach of the Year

Socorro High School’s Science Olympiad team captured the state championship at New Mexico Tech on Saturday, marking a historic finish for a program that has spent years climbing toward the top. Head coach Azza Ezzat, who is retiring this year, was also named Coach of the Year for the high school, or C Division, an honor determined entirely by student nominations.

More than 1,000 middle and high school students, along with their families and coaches, converged on the NMT campus for the 40th annual State Science Olympiad, according to an NMT press release. The event brought 427 student participants from 20 high schools and 21 middle schools to compete in hands‑on STEM challenges ranging from Helicopter and Robot Tour to Entomology and Geologic Mapping. Socorro High School finished first overall in the C Division, ahead of La Cueva High School and Cottonwood Classical Prep.

Ann Hatch, NMT’s director of STEM Outreach and the State Science Olympiad Director, said the Olympiad is a tradition that “celebrates curiosity, innovation and teamwork” and an opportunity to “welcome the future of STEM to campus.”

For Ezzat, the team’s breakthrough felt years in the making. She said the Warriors’ consistent second‑ and third‑place finishes over the past five years showed they were capable of a championship run. This season, she saw stronger performance in the 17 academic events and a powerful dynamic between senior competitors and the many freshmen who joined the team.

 “Older students were role models to the freshmen, who are half of the team,” she said. “This inspires the freshmen to follow my guidance more seriously.”

To prepare students for the intensity of competing at NMT, Ezzat enrolled the team in several virtual tournaments earlier in the year. She said the goal was to build knowledge, curiosity and focus, qualities she said she believes naturally lead to confidence.

Two of the team’s most dramatic victories came in events that had recently faced major setbacks. Assistant coaches Mr. Gorum and Ms. Keeney said Bungee Drop and Electric Vehicle both encountered significant challenges in the weeks leading up to state, but students rebuilt, recalibrated and ultimately took first place in both. The team also saw major improvement in academic events such as Chemistry, Disease Detectives, Experimental Design, Remote Sensing and Forensics after a month of reflection and renewed effort between regionals and state.

Gorum said the community may not realize how much flexibility is required to support students who are also involved in swimming, wrestling, drama, FFA and dual‑credit courses at NMT. To accommodate those schedules, the team practiced Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for the last two months. He added that while the region includes only one other 5A school, the state competition brings together 5A, charter and private schools, making Socorro’s win a testament to the students’ dedication. With nationals in Los Angeles approaching in late May, the team is seeking community support to help cover travel costs.

Ezzat said balancing high expectations with joy is always a challenge, but she tries to keep the atmosphere light when she can.

When Ezzat was called to the stage for the Coach of the Year award, she said she was so focused on her students’ performance that she didn’t realize she had been nominated. 

“It was a great surprise and means a lot for me, especially after knowing that my students voted for me and campaigned for it,” she said. “They are amazing, and I will miss each one of them.”

Students said Ezzat’s leadership shaped not only their season, but their confidence as learners. Niki Planck said Ezzat helped her recognize when to step back from frustration and return with clarity. 

“Sometimes you can’t just keep working on a problem; it’s like hitting a brick wall,” she said.

 Planck also recalled the moment the team surprised Ezzat onstage with balloons and gifts after campaigning for her Coach of the Year win. 

“I could tell that it meant a lot to her, and I was really glad we made it special,” she said.

Timur Aitbayev said Ezzat pushed the team hard, especially in the final weeks.

 “Little to no slack,” Aitbayev said. “But this is what pushed us over the finish line, and for that we are all very thankful.”

Riley Sewell said Ezzat’s principle of “always going deeper” transformed his approach to studying. Before his Anatomy event, Sewell remembers Ezzat telling him, “You act like you carry the weight of the whole world on your shoulders,” and reminding him that the work was already done. 

“It really helped me take a step back and start to trust myself,” Sewell said.

Abby Cadol said Ezzat’s high expectations motivated her to study with the mindset of a champion. After state, Ezzat told her, “I told you so,” a moment that stuck with her because she had truly tried to study as if the team could win.

For first‑year competitor Julian Adcock, Ezzat was one of the first people to encourage him to push himself academically.

 “It is making me realize that I can become more than I think I could,” he said.

Geo Vasquez said Ezzat trusted his instincts and supported him throughout the season. He said watching her win Coach of the Year—alongside the team’s first‑place finish—was unforgettable. 

“It was an amazing gift for her to do this alongside a first place at the state competition,” he said.

Ezzat is retiring this year, and the program will transition to the leadership of Gorum and Keeney. They hope to expand the team, build two full squads and develop new student leaders as upperclassmen graduate. 

“We want more students’ involvement,” they said. “We need our underclassmen to begin filling their shoes.”