With the top scoring student for the second year in a row, and two students headed to dinner with the Governor, Escalon High students did themselves proud at the San Joaquin County Academic Decathlon.
The EHS decathletes placed second in the Small Schools division over the two-weekend event, placed third overall behind Lodi and Middle College and also took second place honors in the Super Quiz.
First-year coach George Megenney said he couldn't have been prouder of the effort by the students.
"We also got most improved school and we received a $4000 (Cortopassi Foundation) grant for the school," Megenney said. "Four kids out of the hundreds that participated were selected for the dinner with the governor, and Escalon had two of them."
Matt Heflin, who took the individual top-scoring honor for the second year in a row, was selected to attend the dinner with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger along with teammate Christina Wong. Each also earned scholarship money, Heflin earning a $1,000 scholarship and Wong receiving $250.
Megenney said there were two main reasons he agreed to coach the AcaDec team when approached.
"I want to work with kids that want to work hard," he said, smiling. "The other reason, a personal goal, is that Escalon High School has a reputation of being a jock school. We're often looked at as not having brain power."
With the strong showing at the county competition, Megenney said he hopes to shatter that illusion and prove that there are as many capable scholars at Escalon High as athletes.
The EHS decathletes placed second in the Small Schools division over the two-weekend event, placed third overall behind Lodi and Middle College and also took second place honors in the Super Quiz.
First-year coach George Megenney said he couldn't have been prouder of the effort by the students.
"We also got most improved school and we received a $4000 (Cortopassi Foundation) grant for the school," Megenney said. "Four kids out of the hundreds that participated were selected for the dinner with the governor, and Escalon had two of them."
Matt Heflin, who took the individual top-scoring honor for the second year in a row, was selected to attend the dinner with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger along with teammate Christina Wong. Each also earned scholarship money, Heflin earning a $1,000 scholarship and Wong receiving $250.
Megenney said there were two main reasons he agreed to coach the AcaDec team when approached.
"I want to work with kids that want to work hard," he said, smiling. "The other reason, a personal goal, is that Escalon High School has a reputation of being a jock school. We're often looked at as not having brain power."
With the strong showing at the county competition, Megenney said he hopes to shatter that illusion and prove that there are as many capable scholars at Escalon High as athletes.
