From Lake Placid to Milano Cortina: Believing in Miracles

Today marks the 46th anniversary of the legendary “Miracle on Ice,” when the United States men’s hockey team faced off against the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. I was just 11 years old, like many kids from Massachusetts, and I can vividly remember the pride swelling as we watched our underdog team take on the dominant Soviets. With nearly half of the team hailing from Massachusetts and New England, the excitement in Boston was especially electric.

The “Miracle on Ice” remains one of the most celebrated moments in American sports history. A young team of amateur and collegiate players, led by coach Herb Brooks, defeated the heavily favored Soviet team 4-3 in a game that transcended athletics. This victory, set against the backdrop of the Cold War, became a symbol of American resilience, determination, and possibility. Two days later, the U.S. team capped off their Olympic journey by defeating Finland 4-2 to secure the gold medal. Captain Mike Eruzione’s game-winning goal against the Soviets and Al Michaels’ unforgettable broadcast call, “Do you believe in miracles? YES!”, are forever etched into Olympic lore.

For those of us who watched that historic game as kids, it was more than hockey, it was inspiration. It reminds us that seemingly impossible goals can be achieved with courage, teamwork, and belief. Let us carry that spirit into the present and inspire our students to aim high, persevere, and “be the miracle” in their own lives. Do I believe in miracles? Absolutely! And you can relive that unforgettable moment here: Watch the Miracle on Ice.

Fast forward 46 years, and the story continues. Today, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, draws to a close. The U.S. men’s hockey team faces Canada in a gold medal showdown, coincidentally on the same date as that historic 1980 victory. Just days ago, the U.S. women’s hockey team also triumphed over Canada in overtime, proving once again that miracles are possible on the ice.

As we celebrate this anniversary, we are reminded that the spirit of the “Miracle on Ice” lives on—through every athlete who dares to defy expectations and every person who believes in the impossible. Today, we believe in miracles once more.

Step Back into History

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Where Curiosity Leads: The 2026 Regional Science and Engineering Fair

Last night, February 20, 2026, the Miles Teller Theater at the Curtis Peterson Auditorium came alive with energy as families, students, educators, and community leaders gathered for the 2026 Citrus County Regional Science and Engineering Fair Awards Ceremony. The event celebrated student achievement in science and engineering while highlighting the overall strength of STEM education across the district. Hosted through the generous support of Citrus Oral and Facial Surgery and Dr. Rushi S. Patel, D.D.S., Ph.D., in collaboration with the Citrus County Education Foundation, the ceremony honored the curiosity, discipline, and innovation of Citrus County’s young researchers.

Students from elementary, middle, and high schools across Citrus County, representing both public and private institutions, were recognized for the depth and quality of their scientific research. The evening reflected more than individual success; it underscored a districtwide commitment to cultivating critical thinking, experimentation, and real world problem solving at every grade level. The diversity of projects on display demonstrated both creativity and rigorous scientific methodology.

In the competitive divisions, middle and high school participants earned first, second, and third place awards across numerous categories. In addition, a variety of specialty honors were made possible through the generous support of community partners. Organizations such as Duke Energy, Tim Herndon Plumbing, and Keep Citrus County Beautiful recognized students whose projects demonstrated exceptional innovation, environmental awareness, and applied scientific thinking.

School High Point Awards were presented to the campuses earning the greatest cumulative number of honors. Lecanto Middle School once again led the middle school division, while the Academy of Environmental Science achieved the highest distinction among high schools. Their Science and Engineering Fair coordinators, Randy Headlee of Lecanto Middle School and Ciera Markey and Jessie Garritano of the Academy of Environmental Science, proudly accepted the awards on behalf of their students and faculty teams.

One of the most anticipated moments of the evening was the presentation of the Ronald J. Worthington Award for Scientific Excellence. Named in honor of former Lecanto High School science educator Ronald J. Worthington, the award recognizes exemplary achievement in research and scientific inquiry. Sponsored once again by Citrus Oral and Facial Surgery, Dr. Rushi S. Patel reflected on how Mr. Worthington inspired his own passion for science and influenced countless students. This year’s recipient, Sarah Duncan, a Biomedical Science student from the Academy of Health Careers at Crystal River High School, received the prestigious award along with a $1,000 scholarship for her outstanding research.

Another highlight was the presentation of the Tim Herndon Plumbing Innovation Award, which honors forward thinking projects that embody creativity and practical application. Juvens Vital of Citrus High School received the top $1,000 Innovation Award. As he accepted the honor, Tim Herndon personally congratulated him and offered words of encouragement to continue pursuing innovation and excellence. Additional Innovation Award recipients included Kylie Brault and Shelby Clark of Lecanto Middle School, each receiving $250, and Asher Goodbred of Citrus Springs Elementary School, who received $100.

Specialty Award Recipients

Citrus County Education Foundation
• Keegan Finamore (Homosassa Elementary School): $50, Elementary
• Trevor Fowler (Crystal River Middle School): $50, Middle
• Deklin Lemming (Citrus High School): $50, High

Duke Energy
• Bella Thorpe (Crystal River Elementary School): Elementary Award
• Connor Breese (Crystal River Middle School): Middle School Award
• Audrina Taylor (Academy of Environmental Science): High School Award

Explorida Adventure Awards
• Abigail Innes (Citrus High School): Swim Certificate
• Jillian Fann (Lecanto High School): Swim Certificate

FAST
• Kennedy Powell (Citrus Springs Elementary School): $50 Certificate, Elementary
• Maya Patel (Lecanto Middle School): $50 Certificate, Middle
• Louis Alarcon (Citrus High School): $50 Certificate, High

RSEF Director’s Award
• Layla Steffek (Lecanto Middle School): Gift Bag
• Devin Pochis (Crystal River Middle School): Gift Bag

Keep Citrus County Beautiful
• Eleanor Miller and Gabriel Wyka (Floral City Elementary School): Two $50 checks, Elementary
• Lydian Allen (Crystal River Middle School): $150, Middle
• Kanav Mathur (Lecanto High School): $250, High

TOOFAR
• Dalton Medders (Academy of Environmental Science): $200
• Madelyn Baumer (Citrus High School): $200

Tim Herndon Plumbing Innovation Awards
• Juvens Vital (Citrus High School): $1,000
• Kylie Brault (Lecanto Middle School): $250
• Shelby Clark (Lecanto Middle School): $250
• Asher Goodbred (Citrus Springs Elementary School): $100

Ronald J. Worthington Award
• Sarah Duncan (Crystal River High School): $1,000

A particularly inspiring component of the ceremony was the recognition of elementary students who qualified at the regional level and were presented with medallions. This acknowledgment reinforces the district’s commitment to nurturing scientific curiosity from an early age. By introducing young learners to the principles of research, experimentation, and structured inquiry, Citrus County Schools are building a lasting foundation for academic growth and future careers in STEM fields.

The evening concluded with the announcement of those advancing to the State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida in March. These outstanding students demonstrated excellence in research design, analysis, and innovation, earning their place among Florida’s top young scientists.

The success of the Citrus County Regional Science and Engineering Fair depends greatly on the dedication of volunteer judges from across the community. Each judge is thoughtfully assigned to a category aligned with their professional expertise to ensure knowledgeable and equitable evaluations. We extend our sincere appreciation to these individuals and to the businesses that support their participation.

Special thanks are extended to Citrus Oral and Facial Surgery, the Citrus County Education Foundation, Duke Energy, HCA Florida, Tim Herndon Plumbing, Keep Citrus County Beautiful, The Runk Family, Inverness Kiwanis, Explorida Adventure Center, River Ventures, SECO Energy, Dr. Christopher Keen and Family, the Florida Association of Science Teachers, and Cengage School for their generous sponsorship.

A heartfelt thank you is also extended to Meg Richardson, District Science TOSA and the 2026 Citrus County Regional Science and Engineering Fair district coordinator, along with all school site coordinators who invested significant time and effort into guiding students and organizing this outstanding event.

Finally, we express gratitude to the parents, families, and friends whose encouragement and support make these achievements possible. As we celebrate this year’s accomplishments, we look forward to the continued growth of the Citrus County Regional Science and Engineering Fair and to the bright future ahead for these remarkable young innovators.

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Citrus Students Shine at Science and Engineering Fair with Creativity and Critical Thinking

The 2025–2026 Citrus Regional Science and Engineering Fair at the Citrus Springs Community Center was nothing short of extraordinary. Each year I leave this event impressed, and each year our students somehow raise the bar even higher. Once again, the projects on display exceeded expectations. The level of mastery, confidence in presentation, and depth of understanding demonstrated by our elementary, middle, and high school students was truly inspiring.

What stood out most was not just creativity, but the critical thinking behind these projects. These students are asking meaningful questions, designing thoughtful experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and applying higher-order thinking skills in ways that rival work at much higher levels. Listening to them explain their methodology, defend their conclusions, and reflect on their findings reminded me that the future of science and engineering is in capable hands right here in Citrus County.

While there were many remarkable projects across all grade levels, I had the opportunity to spend time learning about two in particular that perfectly illustrate the strength of this year’s fair.

Addison Keen of Lecanto Middle School asked a simple but fascinating question: “Do bees have a favorite flower hue?” She designed a careful experiment, placing eight different colored cloths near a beehive and tracking bee activity during 30-minute trials. Although she predicted pink would attract the most bees, her data showed blue was the clear favorite, averaging 65 bees per trial, with yellow close behind. Through further research, Addison discovered that bees cannot see red and are naturally drawn to blue and purple tones because they can detect ultraviolet light. Her project is a wonderful example of the scientific process in action, showing that real learning happens not when we are right, but when we seek to understand why.

Madison Brault, an IB student at Lecanto High School, presented advanced research on animal behavior in her project, “How Time of Day Affects Preening Behavior and Welfare in Captive African Penguins.” Observing a colony of 12 penguins virtually over nine days, she compared behavior during quiet morning hours to busier afternoons when zoo attendance increased. Her findings were significant: total preening dropped from a morning average of 86.8 to 47.0 in the afternoon, with social grooming showing the sharpest decline. Using statistical analysis to support her conclusions, Madison highlighted an important consideration for conservation programs: even well-designed habitats may not fully shield animals from environmental stress.

Beyond individual projects, what makes this event so powerful is the community behind it. I am deeply grateful to the school-based science fair coordinators, teachers, and volunteer judges who made this event possible. Their commitment to fostering curiosity and innovation is evident in every display board and confident student presentation. They are planting seeds of inquiry that will continue to grow for years to come.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to the parents and families who encouraged late nights of research, helped gather materials, and listened to countless practice presentations. Your support is the foundation that allows these young scientists and engineers to shine.

Special appreciation goes to Citrus County Schools Science TOSA Meg Richardson and the incredible Education Service Team for their leadership and organization. Their attention to detail and dedication ensured that every participant had a positive and memorable experience.

We are also grateful for the generous support of the Citrus County Education Foundation and their event partners, whose investment in our students helps make opportunities like this possible.

As I walked through the Citrus Springs Community Center, I was reminded that science fairs are about far more than ribbons and awards. They are about curiosity, perseverance, resilience, and discovery. They are about students learning that even when results are unexpected, there is value in the journey. Most of all, they are about young minds daring to ask why and having the courage to seek the answer.

Citrus County should be incredibly proud of these students. If this year’s fair is any indication, the future is bright, inquisitive, and full of possibility.

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