Submitted by the San Juan Island School District.

The Friday Harbor High School Orca Bowl team made waves at the 2025 Orca Bowl, earning an impressive second-place finish in the annual statewide high school marine sciences competition. Held on March 1 at the University of Washington’s Fisheries Sciences Building in Seattle, the event featured a full day of intense competition among some of Washington’s top young marine scientists.

The Orca Bowl is part of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl and is organized and partially funded by Washington Sea Grant, a program within NOAA dedicated to fostering the responsible use and conservation of ocean and coastal ecosystems. The competition challenges students in buzzer-style matchups and written challenge rounds covering a broad range of marine-related topics, including oceanography, marine policy, marine technology and maritime history.

Over the course of nine rounds, the FHHS team showcased its expertise and teamwork, improving on last year’s third-place finish with an outstanding 7-2 record to secure second place. Their success was made possible in part by generous funding from the Friday Harbor High School Parent Teacher Student Association, which provided support for travel and registration.

“We are incredibly proud of our team’s dedication and hard work,” said Team Captain, Senior Megan Mellinger. “Competing at this level requires not only a deep understanding of marine science but also quick thinking and strong collaboration.”

The FHHS Orca Bowl team’s achievement highlights the school’s commitment to excellence in science education. Their strong finish at this prestigious event is a testament to their knowledge, preparation and enthusiasm for ocean sciences.

For more information about the National Ocean Sciences Bowl and Washington Sea Grant, visit https://nosb.org/.