SHS Academic Decathlon claims third at state

The Splendora High School Academic Decathlon team admire all the medals they earned at the regional and state competitions.


By ROYCELYN BASTIAN
Updated: 04.03.09

The Splendora High School Academic Decathlon Team gave up hanging out with their friends and days during their winter break to study. Their hard work and effort led the team to win first place at the Regional 7 Competition.

“This is my first year to participate on the academic decathlon team and I wanted to do it because it is a tight close knit group and I have been an observer for the past couple of years,” said Kristi Gordon, a senior at Splendora High School. “The team has taught me how to better manage my time and develop better study skills.”

With their high marks a regional, the academic decathlon team went on to earn third place at the small state competition, something that their coach is proud of. At the 2008-2009 Small School State Competition at San Antonio College, the SHS decathlon team earned 37,902 points, which is 3,494 more points than they earned at regional.

“These group of students figured out early that they have to work as a team and I am very proud of all the work and effort they put in this year,” Denise Moore, academic decathlon head coach, said.

To participate in academic decathlon, each team receives materials on next year’s subject before the end of the school year. This allows students to begin reading the information. Once the next school year begins, the students meet, continue studying the information and take tests to determine if they will make the team.

“Just prior to the winter break, I make my decision on who will be on the team. Each student has to try out each year no matter if they were on last year or not. No spot is guaranteed,” Moore said.

The team is comprised of three a, three b and three c students for a total of nine members. This year, the team had to study Latin America and Evolutionary Biology. In the materials, they learn and read all about the culture, music, ideas and themes related to the two subjects. During the regional and state competitions, the students are tested on that material as well as math, science, essays, speech and interviewing skills.

“Being a part of the academic decathlon team has been one of the best things that I have done so far,” said Ryan Moyer, a sophomore. “We had to find a way to juggle being on the team with all of the other organizations that we belong to. We also had to cut down on the time that we had to relax, but it was well worth it.”


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