Usually in this time of the year, the students of Academic Decathlon focus on studying and getting ready for the future competition on January 28 and February 4.
The Academic Decathlon season is split up into four rounds; the first part of the competition is scrimmage, which is the practice test taking. The second part is the interview, speech, and essay. The third part of the competition is focused on the seven subjects (art, Economics, science, Language and Literature, mathematics, music, and the super quiz, each about 30 minutes long. (Each school is given a “resource guide” to study for the subjects.) The super quiz is the subject which is focused on for the team relay. This year’s super quiz subject is on History, with the theme imperialism. Last year’s main theme was the Great depression the super quiz subject was on science. The different aspect of Academic Decathlon is that they accept students of different achievement levels. The teams are split up into Honors (3.75–4.00 GPA), Scholastic (3.00–3.74 GPA), and Varsity (0.00–2.99 GPA).
In Cypress high school, the academic decathlon team was recently changed into a club, rather than a class in 2010. This makes the chances of competing well, low; however, devoted decathletes along with new members met three times a week for one hour after school. Some free weekends and non-school days were also devoted to decathlon for a couple hours.
“I want to improve my skills as well as my knowledge through my commitment. I study for the competition through afterschool study meetings and self study at home, like reading the required novel and reviewing the study materials/packets,” said Brenda Chang Cypress high school junior and treasurer of Academic Decathlon.
Some students have particular strengths in some subjects and are focusing only on those subjects rather than studying for the wide range of the provided areas.
“I am pretty confident in science and music, and because they are my strengths, so I am particularly focusing on these subjects,” said Sarah Kim Cypress high school sophomore and member of decathlon.
Recently on a chilly Saturday landing on December 10, the Decathletes had a carwash from 9:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon to achieve their goal for $213 which will fund the team for the competition. By the end of the day, the students had achieved their goal and were more closely bonded through working together in washing cars.
“Decathlon is definitely difficult. It would be impossible to be successful without having a close bond and a moral support of a happy team to keep everyone motivated and encouraged!” says Christine Ahn Cypress high school junior and vice president of decathlon.
No matter how much you study, in decathlon a close team bonding is at the core of the team and is the main motivation.
