Seward High School students earned second- and fourth-place finishes in the 2025 Alaska Tsunami Bowl, a regional academic competition testing students on their knowledge of ocean biology, history and other sciences held as part of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl.
The Seward Sleeper Sharks, composed of Makena DesErmia, Sadie Haas, Olive James and Wally Wallace, took second place at the competition. The Seward Guyot Ducks, composed of Maddie Haas, Esme Wilder, Gracie Russell, Emily Anger and Otto Nepp, took fourth.
Coach Mica Van Buskirk, speaking to the Clarion on Feb. 28 in Seward, said the National Ocean Sciences Bowl is “made for us.” Seward is a hot spot for marine science and programs, and Van Buskirk said the competition is a chance to get students into those facilities and learning about oceanography.
The Tsunami Bowl, Alaska’s regional competition, is held annually in Seward, this year from Feb. 27 through March 2. There were 13 teams from eight schools this year, gathering students from Seward, Anchorage, Eagle River, Ketchikan and Juneau.
Competing teams compile a 15-page research paper, deliver oral presentations and participate in a “fast-paced” quiz format. While in Seward, the students also visited the Alaska SeaLife Center, the Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute and AVTEC for various activities and learning.
The Sleeper Sharks completed their presentation on “Invasive Tunicate in Alaskan Waters” and the Guyot Ducks presented on “Phytoplankton to Polar Bears: Evaluating Invasive and Non-Native Species Impacts in Alaska.”
The quiz, Van Buskirk said, covers “anything ocean related.”
“It’s ocean marine biology, ocean chemistry, ocean physics, geology, geography, ocean history, ocean literature,” she said. Especially as they prepare their research projects and presentations, they develop teamwork and public speaking.
Van Buskirk said she’s been working to get more Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools involved with the program. “It’s a little intimidating, but it’s really fun, the kids like it, and they’re learning things that are college level science.”
The Seward students who competed this year were recognized Monday with a commending resolution by the Seward City Council. They were celebrated, in particular, for their accomplishment in a wholly extracurricular program — when many of the other teams benefit from the program being integrated into their school’s curriculum.
For more information, find “Tsunami Bowl” on Facebook.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
