Before testing
Information from VHS Academic Decathlon Coach
This past week, the VHS Academic Decathlon Buccaneers traveled to State and
competed against schools from around the state in 10 individual competitive areas,
culminating in a live Super Quiz event where they squared up against other teams on
stage in front of an audience.
This year’s team studied the Roaring 20s as their annual theme. Students explored the
political and social climate of the era, analyzed art, music and literature from the Harlem Renaissance, and examined the factors that contributed to the looming economic downfall of the Great Depression.
This year’s team, alphabetical and in order of class rank: Oliver Ownbey, Erik Vincent
(seniors), Jezelle Eskilida, Alaina Hoffman, Nevaeh Meyer, Ava Mitchell, Aysiri
Shiujones, Haylee Tippetts, Jenna Wadsworth (juniors), Sawyer Stites, Claire Wesson
(sophomores), Miquela Baksis and Sean Hoffman (freshmen).
The VHS Team brought home 22 individual medals this year, and while they weren’t
expecting to place in the overall team placement this year due to the lack of any varsity
students, the team gave a solid effort competing individually.
After testing
The support of academic pursuits by the students and family was much appreciated by
Aca Deca coaches. Senior team members Oliver Ownbey and Erik Vincent performed
admirably, together bringing home 13 of the individual medals. Ownbey earned a nearly
perfect score on his Essay, while Vincent did the same in the interview event. The
strongest category this year appeared to be the Speech event, with notable
improvements from last year and solid feedback for future competition.
Shout out to Team Chaperones, Rylee Ownbey and Matt Wadsworth!
Testing
Medals and Awards
Student invited to attend and compete at Nationals on the Alaska Individual Competitor Team: Claire Wesson
Top Scoring Team Member for Valdez: Erik Vincent
Division II Team Medals:
Nevaeh Meyer – Science (GOLD)
Oliver Ownbey – Economics (BRONZE), Essay (BRONZE), Art (BRONZE), Music (BRONZE), Social Science (BRONZE), Speech (SILVER)
Erik Vincent – Art (SILVER), Speech (BRONZE), Music (GOLD), Social Science (SILVER), Interview (GOLD)
Top Scoring Individual Competitor Medals (Scholastic, both Division I and II):
Note: All medals earned in this event are Gold.
Sean Hoffman – Science
Haylee Tippetts – Economics, Literature, Social Science, Speech, Interview
Claire Wesson – Math, Art