MADERA — Over 500 Academic Decathletes from across California gathered in Madera for the 17th Annual Academic Decathlon Lecture Day, joining Madera County’s high school competitors. This year’s Decathlon theme, “Our Changing Climate,” guided the sessions, where Central Valley experts delivered lectures tailored to Decathlon subject areas.
Statewide Opportunity for Decathletes
Dr. Cecilia Massetti, Madera County Superintendent of Schools.
Initially, Dr. Cecilia Massetti talks about the opportunities this event can offer participants.
“We are proud that Madera County is home to one of the only additional events related to Decathlon available to the entire state,” said Dr. Massetti.
Massetti continues, “Through Lecture Day, students not only have the opportunity to learn valuable information, but they also have a chance to bond as a team and interact with students from other schools across the state.”
Focused Sessions & Expert Speakers
Additionally, held at Movies Madera from 10:00 a.m. to 2:40 p.m., the event included six sessions, with students attending four. Specifically, topics included:
- Environmental and Environmentalist Art (led by Susana Sosa, Fresno City College)
- Economics (led by Aaron Pankratz, Fresno City College)
- Solar Storms in Literature (led by Tiffiny Remmer, Madera Community College)
- Music and the Natural World (led by Dr. Harmony Murphy, Madera Community College)
- Climate Change in the Past and Present (led by Sean Boyd, Fresno City College)
- Speech (led by Dr. Brad Millar, Madera Community College)
During each session, experts lectured in separate theater rooms, offering at least two 50-minute sessions to the rotating groups of students.
Moreover, Bob Gran, owner of Movies Madera, generously donated the venue.
“We are so appreciative of Mr. Gran and the entire staff at Movies Madera for offering the theater for this event and working diligently to ensure the students have the best possible experience,” said Massetti.
Preparing for the 2025 Academic Decathlon
Significantly, the Madera County Schools Foundation and the Madera County Superintendent of Schools sponsored Lecture Day. Subsequently, aligning the event with the subjects in the 2025 Academic Decathlon. Competitors will be tested on art, economics, language and literature, math, music, science, and social science. In addition, they will complete an essay, speech, and interview portion in the competition.
Logo for Madera County Superintendent of Schools, host of Lecture Day.
This year, seven Madera County schools will participate in the 2025 Decathlon:
- Chawanakee Academy
- Chowchilla Union High School
- Glacier High School Charter
- Liberty High School
- Madera High School
- Madera South High School
- Matilda Torres High School
Thereafter, the competition is set for Saturday, February 1st, 2025.
All in all, for more details on the Academic Decathlon or ways to get involved, interested parties can contact Kristi Winter, event coordinator for Madera County Superintendent of Schools, at (559) 662-3873.
