Pictures of student holding certificate, student putting together popsicle sticks, and a group of students cheering him on; text at bottom reads EHE Student Sets Guiness World Record

Culpeper County Public Schools is proud to announce that Oliver Ferreira, a rising 6th-grade student, has set a new Guinness World Record for the “Largest Stick Bomb Assembled in One Minute.” This remarkable achievement took place on February 7, 2024, at Emerald Hill Elementary School.

Oliver broke the previous record of 15 popsicle sticks by successfully assembling 28 sticks within the one-minute timeframe. His journey towards this accomplishment began in September 2023 when he decided to pursue a Guinness World Record. After registering and reviewing the requirements, Oliver dedicated countless hours to practice, often spending weekends rehearsing his technique at home.

When asked how it feels to be a world record holder, Oliver said, “This has been a very rewarding experience, especially because of all the work behind it. Achieving a world record was on my bucket list and I am glad that I got it done so early in my life.” He added that he was grateful for all of the support he had along the way. “I would just like to thank my dad for helping me with the application and registration process. Also, I am very thankful to all the people that helped me during the official attempt – witnesses, timekeepers, and those recording the film. I want to send a special thank you to the staff from Emerald Hill that supported me and to Dr. Gelbert (Principal) who allowed me to take my attempt at the school. Lastly, I want to thank my teacher, Mrs. Gaulden, and my classmates for cheering me on during my attempt.”

Oliver's parents expressed their pride in their son's determination and hard work. "We were in this journey with Oliver from day one as we all had to learn about the requirements and overall process to become the holder of a Guinness World Record. We are so proud of Oliver for his motivation and tenacity. This was a long process, but he never gave up and managed to mobilize his entire school. A special thank you to Emerald Hill staff for their unwavering support."

As a new record holder, Oliver has received his official certificate and a Guinness World Record t-shirt, which he plans to wear proudly. Looking ahead, Oliver is excited about future possibilities and grateful for the support of his school community and family.