|
REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COMPETE IN THE NOVEMBER 23 AT PHS The Decathlon, one of the most prestigious academic competitions in the country, is designed to foster an interest in learning and to channel into academic endeavors the same level of interest, enthusiasm and discipline that high school students show when preparing for athletic competition. “The Academic Decathlon is unique because it gives students of all grade levels the opportunity to exercise their academic abilities and to be a vital contributor to their team”, said Henry Lukas, principal of Canton High School, and state director of the Massachusetts Academic Decathlon. “Given the opportunity to showcase their talents in a team-oriented competitive format, students grow academically and also gain the confidence that will help them in their future endeavors after high school.” The United States Academic Decathlon was first held in 1981 [CA] and was based on a model developed in the late 1960s by Dr. Robert Peterson, then superintendent of schools on Orange County, California. Dr. Peterson, believing that everyone’s learning potential can be maximized through competitive challenge, set the groundwork for the competition that has come to be recognized as the premier high school academic competition in the nation. The first Massachusetts Academic Decathlon was held in 1983. At the Western Mass. Regional event, current and retired employees of General Electric and General Dynamics, members of their families and other members of the community serve as staff personnel, in roles such as judging or proctoring. Now in its 18th year, this WMAD contest is sponsored by the GE Elfun Society with generous assistance from General Dynamics. The coordinator of the Massachusetts Academic Decathlon is the Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators’ Association (MSSAA), the oldest educational association in the United States. The public is encouraged to attend the final event (SUPER QUIZ) at 3:30PM in the PHS field house. PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS: AGAWAM HIGH SCHOOL BERKSHIRE COYUNTRY DAY SCHOOL SECONDARY CHICOPEE HIGH SCHOOL CHICOPEE COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL DRURY HIGH SCHOOL GRANBY Jr./Sr. HIGH SCHOOL LEE HIGH SCHOOL PITTSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL WAHCONAH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL CONTACTS: Donald Estabrook 443-2219 & Carl Filios 442-8984 (WMAD Co-Chairs) THE ACADEMIC DECATHLON: BACKGROUND and NOTES OF INTEREST WHAT IS THE ACADEMIC DECATHLON?
The Massachusetts Academic Decathlon, now in its 20th season, matches teams of students from high schools across the state in a series of 10 academic events. These events cover Economics, Language and Literature, Mathematics, Music , Art and Science or Social Science. Students study topics specified in a national study guide. In addition, students compete in events measuring communication skills, which include writing an essay, delivering a prepared and impromptu speech, and reacting to questions in an oral interview. The competition culminates in the Super Quiz - a team event on a single subject held before a large audience. (The 2002 Super Quiz topic will be “THE BLUE PLANET – underneath the surface”.) Students are given awards based on both individual and team achievements. Sixteen teams, selected by their placements in the regional results, compete at the state contest in March 2003. The team winning the state finals goes on to represent Massachusetts at the national championship in April.. The Academic Decathlon was founded to foster scholastic excellence among high school students representing a wide diversity of backgrounds and interests. A unique aspect of the program is that each nine-member team must consist of three students each from “A” (3.75-4.0 GPA), “B” (3.00-3.74 GPA) and “C” (0.00-2.99 GPA) academic rankings. Students of grades 9-12 are eligible. Starting in May, high school staff members coach the teams, devoting many hours in helping their students prepare for the rigors of competition day. The philosophy and format of the Massachusetts Academic Decathlon are based on a model developed in California in 1968. In 1982, the first nationwide United States Academic Decathlon was held. Massachusetts joined the competition a year later, with our Western Mass. regionals commencing in 1985. The Mass. state-wide coordination for the regionals and for the state finals is vested in the office of the Mass. Secondary School Administrators Association (MSSAA) at Franklin. A committee of school and sponsor representatives deals with the budget aspects and some elementary planning issues. The contest format and content is closely controlled by the USAD offices at Buena Park, Calif. from whence all resource materials, test masters, contest regulations and score sheets originate. Financial Support For Mass. AD Contests Through March of 2000, Raytheon Company had been the major sponsor of the MASS AD. They provided funding for the Eastern regional contests and state finals as well as covering expenses of the winning team’s travel to the National Contest.[ A new major sponsor is being sought in order to support the continuity of this scholastic competition.] In addition, the General Electric Elfun Societies of Pittsfield and Lunenburg provide significant funding for WMAD regional and state events, respectively. General Dynamics and GE Plastics also share specific expenses for our regional event. These added sponsorships are highly appreciated by the MSSAA and all the involved schools. |