Imperial High School student Kelly Lugenbeel competes during the "super quiz" portion of the Imperial County Office of Education academic decathlon Saturday. (Chelcey Adami) |
Faces were tight with concentration as high school students competed in the Imperial County Office of Education’s academic decathlon this weekend for a chance to go to the state competition next month.
Applause erupted in between intense periods of dead silence as students from Central Union, Southwest and Imperial high schools rivaled each other in the “super quiz” culminating event of the decathlon.
Students were also tested in areas including essay writing, art, math and interview skills. Three events were held Friday and seven Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m.
“It teaches them study skills, they get to feel what a business interview feels like, thinking on their feet, all the skills that we want all kids to have,” ICOE academic decathlon co-coordinator Queanna Givens said. “A lot of schools’ budgets are strapped so we commend the schools for keeping this on the plate.”
Imperial High School’s team captain Alexandra Lopez said while it’s a lot of hard work, the experience teaches students substantial knowledge, imparts useful skills and allows them to meet other students.
“It’s also a great way to prepare for college, you go over a lot of things,” Southwest High School student Bryanna Quijada said.
The teams studied for months in preparation for the event and held fundraisers to help purchase things such as team T-shirts.
“I know the students and coaches have put in a lot of grueling testing and hours,” ICOE academic decathlon co-coordinator Robin Bates said.
ICOE encourages any businesses that would like to contribute to programs such as the academic decathlon to contact the ICOE curriculum department.
“We want to keep this going, but it takes a community effort,” Givens said.
AmeriCorp volunteers helped staff the event, and winners will be announced during an awards ceremony Monday evening.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
Applause erupted in between intense periods of dead silence as students from Central Union, Southwest and Imperial high schools rivaled each other in the “super quiz” culminating event of the decathlon.
Students were also tested in areas including essay writing, art, math and interview skills. Three events were held Friday and seven Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m.
“It teaches them study skills, they get to feel what a business interview feels like, thinking on their feet, all the skills that we want all kids to have,” ICOE academic decathlon co-coordinator Queanna Givens said. “A lot of schools’ budgets are strapped so we commend the schools for keeping this on the plate.”
Imperial High School’s team captain Alexandra Lopez said while it’s a lot of hard work, the experience teaches students substantial knowledge, imparts useful skills and allows them to meet other students.
“It’s also a great way to prepare for college, you go over a lot of things,” Southwest High School student Bryanna Quijada said.
The teams studied for months in preparation for the event and held fundraisers to help purchase things such as team T-shirts.
“I know the students and coaches have put in a lot of grueling testing and hours,” ICOE academic decathlon co-coordinator Robin Bates said.
ICOE encourages any businesses that would like to contribute to programs such as the academic decathlon to contact the ICOE curriculum department.
“We want to keep this going, but it takes a community effort,” Givens said.
AmeriCorp volunteers helped staff the event, and winners will be announced during an awards ceremony Monday evening.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
