Central Union High School will be going to the academic decathlon state competition next month after intensely battling Southwest and Imperial high schools this past weekend.
“They’re going to put forth all their efforts to represent our county as well as they can and are very excited to do so,” Imperial County Office of Education decathlon co-coordinator Robin Bates said. “They will get to meet and network with students from all over the state. It’s also an experience that gets them into our state capital.”
Southwest High School took second place and Imperial High School took third.
Southwest High School student Jonathan Finnell walked away with the highest overall score.
Divisions were based on grade-point averages. Highest division awards include Central Union High School student Steven Johnson for varsity, Southwest High School student Elizabeth Rangel for scholastic and Finnell for honors.
Around 500 public or private high schools with about 13,000 students participate in teams of nine to compete in the statewide, nonprofit California Academic Decathlon.
The competition entails 30-minute multiple-choice tests in economics, art, music, language and literature, math, science and social science.
Each team member also gives a planned four-minute speech and two-minute impromptu speech, has a seven-minute interview and writes a timed 50-minute essay.
The state finals will result in a state champion who will represent California in the U.S. Academic Decathlon in late April.
Since the national competition began in 1982, California has won 17 national titles and won second place 11 times.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com.
“They’re going to put forth all their efforts to represent our county as well as they can and are very excited to do so,” Imperial County Office of Education decathlon co-coordinator Robin Bates said. “They will get to meet and network with students from all over the state. It’s also an experience that gets them into our state capital.”
Southwest High School took second place and Imperial High School took third.
Southwest High School student Jonathan Finnell walked away with the highest overall score.
Divisions were based on grade-point averages. Highest division awards include Central Union High School student Steven Johnson for varsity, Southwest High School student Elizabeth Rangel for scholastic and Finnell for honors.
Around 500 public or private high schools with about 13,000 students participate in teams of nine to compete in the statewide, nonprofit California Academic Decathlon.
The competition entails 30-minute multiple-choice tests in economics, art, music, language and literature, math, science and social science.
Each team member also gives a planned four-minute speech and two-minute impromptu speech, has a seven-minute interview and writes a timed 50-minute essay.
The state finals will result in a state champion who will represent California in the U.S. Academic Decathlon in late April.
Since the national competition began in 1982, California has won 17 national titles and won second place 11 times.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com.
