Submitted by Kristi Winter
MADERA COUNTY – Wasuma Elementary School took top honors at the 2013 Academic Pentathlon on Saturday, Mar. 16, winning the 8th grade competition. The Ranchos Middle School also finished on top, defended their title and winning the 7th grade competition.
More than 350 students participated in this year’s five-event academic competition, held over two days. Math and essay tests were held on Friday, Mar. 8 at State Center Community College District, Madera Center; and literature, speech and super quiz were held Saturday at Ranchos Middle School.Oak Creek Intermediate School came in second place in the 7th grade competition, and Ranchos Middle School placed second in the 8th grade competition.
Coarsegold Elementary School came in third in the 7th grade competition, and Thomas Jefferson Middle School placed third in the 8th grade competition.
Ranchos Middle School’s 7th grade team placed first in the Super Quiz, and Thomas Jefferson’s 8th grade teams placed first in the super quiz.
Oak Creek Intermediate School placed second in the 7th grade super quiz competition and Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School placed third.
Ranchos Middle School placed second in the 8th grade competition with Sherman Thomas Charter School coming in third in the competition.
“What a wonderful day for our students to showcase their talents,” said Cyndy Dolph, Associate Superintendent, Madera County Office of Education. “The energy level was high and the competition stiff throughout all final events.”
Each event contained a maximum of six students per team. Students were allowed to compete in as many tests as they wished. Teams had been practicing for this event since October.
Saturday’s competition began with the speech and literature events. Participants delivered a four-minute prepared speech on the topic of responsibility and a two-minute impromptu speech in front a panel of three judges.
Literature students took a test based on the required reading, Esperanza Rising, by Pam Munoz Ryan. Participants had 30 minutes to answer 50 questions based on the book, a poem and language skills.
The super quiz was conducted immediately following both events. Teams walked into the testing arena to face off in a series of questions on the topic “Physical Principals, Structure and Function.”
Each super quiz team consisted of four to six members answering 15 questions out of 30. The four highest scores were added up to determine the winning team.
The awards ceremony was held immediately following the super quiz and lunch. Certificates and pins were handed out to all participating students.
Seventh grade winners included:
Essay:
Kathrine Bodine Rivergold Elementary Gold
Holly Hiatt Ranchos Middle Silver
Kendall Miller Rivergold Elementary Bronze
Literature:
Jazper Blancett Ranchos Middle Gold
Rachel Loveland Coarsegold Elementary Silver
Holly Hiatt Ranchos Middle Silver
Hannah Hurtado Coarsegold Elementary Bronze
Brooke Yang Ranchos Middle Bronze
Kendall Miller Rivergold Elementary Bronze
David O’Brien Wasuma Elementary Bronze
Sarah Meeks Wasuma Elementary Bronze
Math Dylan Micallef Coarsegold Elementary Gold
Alexia Dahlin Coarsegold Elementary Silver
Allison Tomlinson Dairyland Elementary Silver
Riley Barney Dairyland Elementary Silver
Ruben Reyes Jack G. Desmond Middle Silver
Olivia Mattos Oak Creek Intermediate Silver
Jameson Frazier Ranchos Middle Silver
David O’Brien Wasuma Elementary Silver
Bryce Talbot Rivergold Elementary Bronze
Speech:
Kaleb Roth Ranchos Middle Gold
Greyson Hoelzel Ranchos Middle Silver
Jared Brazda Jack G. Desmond Middle Bronze
Eighth grader winners included:
Essay Audrey Kenison Rivergold Elementary Gold
Vivian Montijo Ranchos Middle Silver
Jailene Morales Jimenez Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle Bronze
Literature:
Isabel McGoldrick Wasuma Elementary Gold
Allana Worrell Oak Creek Intermediate Silver
Kelsey Noble Ranchos Middle Silver
Joe Campbell Coarsegold Elementary Bronze
Jordyn Samper Spring Valley Bronze
Math:
Brandon Healey Wasuma Elementary Gold
Burke Stewart Oak Creek Intermediate Gold
Candida Lopez Martin Luther King, Jr. Silver
Sarah Valdez Ranchos Middle Silver
Isabel McGoldrick Wasuma Elementary Silver
Lauren Peterson Oak Creek Intermediate Bronze
Zachary Hendrix St. Joachim Bronze
Speech:
Mecca Ison Wasuma Elementary Gold
Alexa Rosa Ranchos Middle Silver
Elise Keeler Wasuma Elementary Bronze