Bella Vista High School, from the San Juan Unified School District, is the winner of the Sacramento County Academic Decathlon competition. Bella Vista now advances to the California Academic Decathlon, which will be held in March 15-18, 2012 in Sacramento. California's winning team will be eligible to advance to the U.S. Academic Decathlon April 25-28 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon announced individual and team winners of the 32nd Annual Sacramento County Academic Decathlon, held February 4 at Inderkum High School. The top scorers were honored February 8 at an awards banquet presented by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) at the Woodlake Hotel Sacramento (formerly the Radisson). Kevin Riggs, Senior Vice President for Randall Communications, served as banquet emcee.
SAFE Credit Union provided $10,000 in scholarships to be distributed among top-scoring students. SAFE President Henry Wirz was on hand to personally congratulate all participants.
Twenty-five high schools in Sacramento County sent teams to compete February 4 in written and oral exams at Inderkum High School. To prepare for the Academic Decathlon, students devoted months of study to the 2012 theme, "The Age of Empire." Questions asked at the live Super Quiz, the day's final event, covered the topic "The Age of Imperialism: The Making of a European Global Order." Fox40 LIVE Morning Host Paul Robins served as the Super Quiz Master.
Students competed for awards in 10 demanding academic events: Mathematics, Art, Music, Language/Literature, Economics, Science, Essay, Speech, Interview and Super Quiz. Contestants represented 25 schools in Sacramento County. Students received gold, silver or bronze medals for their efforts.
Each high school Academic Decathlon team is comprised of nine students—three with "A" grade averages, three with "B" averages and three with "C" averages—who compete against those with the same grade average. Coaches are local high school teachers. Academic "Decathletes" not only grow in academic achievement; they learn about teamwork, goal-setting, planning and leadership.
2012 Photos and Multimedia
- Scrimmage photo gallery
- Team photos gallery
- Super Quiz photo gallery
- Awards Banquet photo gallery
- Student speeches (YouTube playlist)
Top-Scoring Teams
- 1st Place: Bella Vista High School (San Juan Unified School District)
- 2nd Place: Folsom High School (Folsom Cordova Unified School District)
- 3rd Place: Del Campo High School (San Juan Unified School District)
- 4th Place: Pleasant Grove High School (Elk Grove Unified School District)
- 5th Place: Monterey Trail High School (Elk Grove Unified School District)
Schools Placing Highest in the Super Quiz
(compilation of scores from written and oral exams)
- 1st Place: Bella Vista High School (San Juan Unified School District)
- 2nd Place: Del Campo High School (San Juan Unified School District)
- 3rd Place: Folsom High School (Folsom Cordova Unified School District)
Most Improved School Score
- Inderkum High School (Natomas Unified School District)
Team Results
The Sacramento County Academic Decathlon is presented by Sacramento County Office of Education staff and community volunteers. Additional information is available by calling (916) 228-2660.