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Tracy High School Takes First In AcaDec Competition
sjcoe

Approximately 300 students from 11 high schools in San Joaquin County – including Escalon High – took part in the 37th Annual Academic Decathlon, hosted by the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE). The competition began with students engaging in speech and interview contests at the SJCOE on Jan. 27.

Following that, on Saturday, Feb. 3, the competition moved to Lathrop High School, where competitors showcased their knowledge of art, economics, literature, mathematics, music, science, and social science in a series of tests, culminating in the high-energy Super Quiz. Each year, all the decathlon events are tied together with a single theme. This year, the theme was Africa.

“We did have one student win a medal. Matthew Lima placed third in the essay category in the Honors division,” said Escalon High School first year AcaDec coach Josh Cohen. “Unfortunately, this was our only medal winner. However, the team acquitted itself well, especially in the essay, speech, and interview categories.”

Schools can field multiple teams, but only one Division I team can compete from each school. Each nine-member team consists of three students in each of three categories based on grade point average: Honors (3.75 – 4.0+), Scholastic (3.0 – 3.74), and Varsity (0.0 – 2.99).

The Top Overall School was Tracy High School, Tracy Unified School District, with the team receiving the Dave Sorgent Winner’s Cup. They will also compete at the State Academic Decathlon Championship in Sacramento, March 23 and 24.

Taking second place overall was Middle College High School, Lodi Unified School District and third place overall went to Stockton Early College Academy, Stockton Unified School District.

Overall Top-Scoring Student was Surya Nehra, Tracy High School, who received the $1,000 Walter Rathhaus Award, provided by Premier Community Credit Union and the SJCOE Educational Foundation.

Top Three Super Quiz Teams, receiving individual medals and a team plaque, were: Middle College High School, Lodi Unified School District, first; Tracy High School, Tracy Unified School District, second; Mountain House High School, Lammersville Unified School District, third.