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YHS Wins Academic Decathlon, Chawanakee Second

MADERA COUNTY – Yosemite High School won the 2014 Academic Decathlon held on Feb. 1 for the 21st consecutive year. Chawanakee Academy took second, and Chowchila Union came in third.

The Academic Decathlon team from Yosemite High School will go on to compete in the California Academic Decathlon State Finals on March 21-23 in Sacramento.

Yosemite High School scored 35,051.9 points out of 65,400, and will challenge the best schools from throughout California.

The nine-member team, comprised of three “A”, three “B” and three “C” students, won the Madera County Decathlon after competing against five county high schools.

Chawanakee Academy students came in 2nd overall at 2014 Academic PentathlonChawanakee Academy placed second, with Chowchilla Union High School coming in third in the competition. Other competing schools included Liberty High, Madera High and Madera South High.

“We are proud of all of our decathletes,” said Cecilia Massetti, Ed.D., Madera County Superintendent of Schools. “We wish Yosemite luck at the state competition and know they will represent Madera County well.”

Yosemite High School also won the Super Quiz relay held in front of community members, donors, educators, parents and volunteers. First place rosette ribbons were awarded to the team members.

The Super Quiz, along with each objective test, was conducted using hand-held devices. Madera County was one of five counties who piloted the new technology.

Adam Scott YHS senior outstanding scholar biggest score - photo Kellie FlanaganIn addition, team sizes were increased to 25 students, medals were awarded based on division, the interview competition was held a week before Decathlon Day and students wrote their essays on laptop computers.

“The Academic Decathlon entered the 21st Century by using technology as it had never been used before in this competition,” said Massetti. “All of the changes noted provided for a exceptional event.”

A total of 120 medals were handed out at the Awards Ceremony. Yosemite High was awarded 50 medals: 14 bronze, 22 silver and 14 gold medals. Chawanakee Academy received a total of 25 medals: 12 bronze, 6 silver and 7 gold. Chowchilla High received 19 medals: 7 bronze, 6 silver and 6 gold. Liberty High was awarded 13 medals: 7 bronze, 4 silver and 2 gold medals. Madera High received 2 medals: 1 bronze and 1 gold. Madera South High received 11 medals: 8 bronze, 1 silver and 2 gold medals.

Yosemite teacher/coach Steve Browning is pleased to have won Acadec for the 21st year in a row“We congratulate all of our decathletes for a job well done,” said Cyndy Dolph, Associate Superintendent, Madera County Office of Education. “Students have worked hard all year and it was exciting to see so many students awarded for their efforts.”

This year, each student participated in ten challenging events, including tests in art, economics, language & literature, mathematics, music, science and social science.

The contestants performed a prepared and impromptu speech, wrote essays on a given topic and were interviewed by a panel of judges.

The 2014 Academic Decathlon topic was World War I. Students answered questions from art, economics, literature, music, science and social science during the Super Quiz.

The Yosemite High team members who will be attending the state competition, led by coach Steve Browning are: Honors Division – Angela Du, Kenneth Jeffris, Adam Scott; Scholastic Division – Christen Cogdell, Tasha Dragoo, Azani Pusina; Varsity Division- Rachel Arroyo, Jonas Park, Gregory Royse.

Acadec Yosemite AfterwardsAdam Scott from Yosemite High School, was the top scoring decathlete this year, scoring 6,344.7 points across the 10 events.

The top scoring senior from each school will receive a $100 scholarship. The following students earned the senior honors:

Chawanakee Academy – Laurel Samuelson

Chowchilla Union High School – Kyle Hansen

Liberty High School – Matteo Francescone

Madera High School – Manal Iqbal

Madera South High School – Mayra Cano

Yosemite High School – Adam Scott

The Madera County Academic Decathlon is funded by donations from local businesses and community members.

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