“Time. Pens up. The correct answer is ….” Pens wave triumphantly in the air and the crowded room erupts into a cheering, horn-blowing, uproar as scores are posted after each question. The Super Quiz Competition is underway and the tension mounts as each rotation of students is called up front to be challenged by 10 questions.
This scene took place at the Creighton University Student Center on Saturday, Feb. 20—the culmination of the two-day Nebraska State Academic Decathlon competition and the only part of the event open to the public. When it was all over, the team from Nebraska City Lourdes Central Catholic won the State Championship in the small school division (Class C and D schools) for the third year in a row.
Based on the model of the athletic decathlon, the Academic Decathlon requires participants to prepare for ten academic events, encouraging academic versatility. Students are tested in the categories of art, economics, essay, interview, language and literature, mathematics, music, science, social science and speech. The focus and study materials change every year, with this year’s theme centered around the French Revolution.
Each high school enters a team of nine students: 3 "A” or Honor students, 3 “B” or Scholastic students, and 3 “C” or Varsity students who compete against other schools’ team members at the same academic level. Junior Travis Barrett says, “I love how it incorporates students from all academic levels.”
Teams may also have an alternate at each level. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded for individual events and total team scores.
Founded in 1981, the contest has come to be recognized as the most prestigious high school academic team competition in the United States.
The team from Lourdes has qualified every year to compete at the state level since its inception at the school fifteen years ago, and for the past eight years has been the State Champion six times and Runner-Up twice. This year team members garnered a total of 54 medals: 28 Golds, 8 Silvers, and 18 Bronze. In addition to medals and trophies, students also earn scholarship money if the team places 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at Regionals and again at State. Over the years students from Lourdes have been awarded over $50,000 for their efforts.
Coach Diana Harris remarked, “Our school gives these kids a great educational foundation. I see our Academic Decathlon program as a way to build on that and expand into many college-level subjects. For example, Peru State chemistry professor Dr. Dennis Welsh spent several hours working with the team in the area of science and said that the curriculum covered three semesters of college level chemistry.”
Mary Ann Liesemeyer and Molly Reuland also coach the team. “The three of us play ‘tag team’ in organizing and working with the team members. We try to find a balance between encouraging and pushing to get them to do their best!” exclaims Ms. Reuland.
Mrs. Liesemeyer is quick to point out that many community members and other faculty have come in to help students prepare for and practice speeches, interviewing skills, and essay writing. “It really ‘takes a village’ to build a strong team every year,” she said.
After a long season, started by reading the novel over the summer, the team has not yet finished. The students will continue to study in preparation for an on-line national competition which will take place in late April.
“Although the extra studying can be a pain, the sense of accomplishment makes it all worthwhile,” said junior Derrek Christians.
Team members are seniors Gina Gilson and Sara Rice; juniors Travis Barrett, Sullivan Davison, and Derrek Christians; and sophomores Blake Bequette, Colin Boyle, Dane Carlson, Mark DiSomma and Steele Giles.
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“Time. Pens up. The correct answer is ….” Pens wave triumphantly in the air and the crowded room erupts into a cheering, horn-blowing, uproar as scores are posted after each question. The Super Quiz Competition is underway and the tension mounts as each rotation of students is called up front to be challenged by 10 questions.
This scene took place at the Creighton University Student Center on Saturday, Feb. 20—the culmination of the two-day Nebraska State Academic Decathlon competition and the only part of the event open to the public. When it was all over, the team from Nebraska City Lourdes Central Catholic won the State Championship in the small school division (Class C and D schools) for the third year in a row.
Based on the model of the athletic decathlon, the Academic Decathlon requires participants to prepare for ten academic events, encouraging academic versatility. Students are tested in the categories of art, economics, essay, interview, language and literature, mathematics, music, science, social science and speech. The focus and study materials change every year, with this year’s theme centered around the French Revolution.
Each high school enters a team of nine students: 3 "A” or Honor students, 3 “B” or Scholastic students, and 3 “C” or Varsity students who compete against other schools’ team members at the same academic level. Junior Travis Barrett says, “I love how it incorporates students from all academic levels.”
Teams may also have an alternate at each level. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded for individual events and total team scores.
Founded in 1981, the contest has come to be recognized as the most prestigious high school academic team competition in the United States.
The team from Lourdes has qualified every year to compete at the state level since its inception at the school fifteen years ago, and for the past eight years has been the State Champion six times and Runner-Up twice. This year team members garnered a total of 54 medals: 28 Golds, 8 Silvers, and 18 Bronze. In addition to medals and trophies, students also earn scholarship money if the team places 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at Regionals and again at State. Over the years students from Lourdes have been awarded over $50,000 for their efforts.
Coach Diana Harris remarked, “Our school gives these kids a great educational foundation. I see our Academic Decathlon program as a way to build on that and expand into many college-level subjects. For example, Peru State chemistry professor Dr. Dennis Welsh spent several hours working with the team in the area of science and said that the curriculum covered three semesters of college level chemistry.”
Mary Ann Liesemeyer and Molly Reuland also coach the team. “The three of us play ‘tag team’ in organizing and working with the team members. We try to find a balance between encouraging and pushing to get them to do their best!” exclaims Ms. Reuland.
Mrs. Liesemeyer is quick to point out that many community members and other faculty have come in to help students prepare for and practice speeches, interviewing skills, and essay writing. “It really ‘takes a village’ to build a strong team every year,” she said.
After a long season, started by reading the novel over the summer, the team has not yet finished. The students will continue to study in preparation for an on-line national competition which will take place in late April.
“Although the extra studying can be a pain, the sense of accomplishment makes it all worthwhile,” said junior Derrek Christians.
Team members are seniors Gina Gilson and Sara Rice; juniors Travis Barrett, Sullivan Davison, and Derrek Christians; and sophomores Blake Bequette, Colin Boyle, Dane Carlson, Mark DiSomma and Steele Giles.
