Bella Vista students with trophy and champion banner

First place team Bella Vista celebrates. Bella Vista and second place Folsom High School will both advance to compete in the California Academic Decathlon this year, March 13-16.

Sarah Blackwell-Simon speaking

Sarah Blackwell-Simon from Rosemont High School (first place in the Speech competition) delivers her speech at the Awards Banquet.

Hannah Jolly speaking

Hannah Jolly from Center High School (second place in the Speech competition) delivers her speech.

Charles Diamond speaking

Charles Diamond from Bella Vista High School (third place in the Speech competition) delivers his speech.

David W. Gordon and Henry Wirz

County Superintendent David W. Gordon (left) recognizes SAFE Credit Union President/CEO Henry Wirz. SAFE Credit Union provided $10,000 in scholarships to be distributed among top-scoring students.

Local Students Awarded Medals at 29th Annual Academic Decathlon

Posted February 12, 2009
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Bella Vista High Advances to State Finals; Folsom High Also Qualifies

Individual and team winners of the 29th Annual Sacramento County Academic Decathlon (held February 7 at Inderkum High School) have been announced by Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon. Modeling their efforts after the Olympic Decathlon, more than 300 local students competed for awards in 10 demanding academic events: Mathematics, Art, Music, Language/Literature, Economics, Science, Essay, Speech, Interview and Super Quiz. Contestants represented 22 schools in Sacramento County. Two local high schools will advance to state finals.

Following is a listing of top scorers honored February 11 at the Academic Decathlon Awards Banquet presented by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) at the Radisson Hotel Sacramento. KCRA Channel 3 Anchor and Political Reporter Kevin Riggs served as emcee of the awards banquet. Students received gold, silver or bronze medals for their efforts. SAFE Credit Union provided $10,000 in scholarships to be distributed among top-scoring students.

Sacramento County schools earning the most overall points:

1st Place: Bella Vista High School
2nd Place: Folsom High School
3rd Place: Del Campo High School
4th Place: J.F. Kennedy High School
5th Place: Rio Americano High School

County schools placing highest in the Super Quiz competition (compilation of scores from written & oral exams):

1st Place: Bella Vista High School
2nd Place: Folsom High School
3rd Place: Del Campo High School
4th Place: J.F. Kennedy High School
5th Place: Rio Americano High School

Winners of Super Decathlete awards (students with overall best individual scores):

Gold Medal Winners

CHARLES DIAMOND, Bella Vista High School
ALEX BULLEN, Folsom High School
AUSTIN KIDWELL, Bella Vista High School

Silver Medal Winners

CHRISTIAN FONG, Franklin High School
CHRIS BRAINERD, Folsom High School
RYAN LESSARD, Bella Vista High School

Bronze Medal Winners

ROHIT TALREJA, Folsom High School
DEVON BROWN, Bella Vista High School
SPENCER HAYES, Bella Vista High School

School with "most improved" score from prior year:

Franklin High School

Twenty-two Sacramento County high schools each sent teams comprised of three Honors students (those with "A" grade averages), three Scholastic ("B") students, and three Varsity ("C") students to compete February 7 in the day-long 29th Annual Sacramento County Academic Decathlon. The event represented months of study by over 300 students. The theme of this year's Academic Decathlon was "Latin America." Bella Vista High School and Folsom High School will both advance to compete in the California Academic Decathlon March 13-16, 2009 in Sacramento. The Sacramento County Academic Decathlon is conducted by staff and volunteers of SCOE.


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