Hughson High School took second place in the Stanislaus County Academic Decathlon held on Feb. 7 at Johansen High School gymnasium.
Taking first place was Oakdale High School and third went to Modesto High School.
The Roaring Twenties was the theme of the event, which is hailed as the most significant academic event for local high schools and consists of a series of tests, speeches, and interviews.
“The goal of the decathlon is to stimulate intellectual growth and scholastic success,” said Cheryl Goulart, SCOE Student Events Program Manager. “The competition is open to all students, not just the top achievers. Our objective is to recognize student achievement and to emphasize education’s positive dimensions.”
Participating schools sent nine members to serve as the core team – up to three students in each of three categories, based on grade point averages. Schools could send as many alternate participants as they choose.
Twelve local high schools participated in this year’s event – Ceres, Hughson, Oakdale, Modesto, Beyer, Central Catholic, Davis, Downey, Enochs, Gregori, Johansen and Patterson. This year’s winner will represent Stanislaus County at the California Academic Decathlon State Finals in March.
Ceres High School’s Xochitl Gonzalez Hernandez took varsity bronze in the Interview competition.
Among top local scorers for the Essay competition included Hughson High students Alessandra Lazaro who took varsity silver and Rose Devlin who took alternative silver.
In Mathematics competition, Hughson’s Elizabeth Becchetti claims honors fourth place; Shane Lockwood took honors fifth place; Anneliese Ramirez walked away with scholastic fourth place; Braden Ballard and Alessandra Lazaro each took varsity fourth place; and Alexander Jimenez Andrade was alternate fourth place.
Top scorers in Science included Hughson High School students Shane Lockwood (honors gold); Elizabeth Becchetti (honors silver); Silah Leazer (scholastic silver); Anneliese Ramirez (scholastic fourth place); Frances Akers (scholastic fifth place); and Rose Devlin (alternative fifth place).
Top scorers in Economics included Hughson High School students Elizabeth Becchetti (honors gold); Shane Lockwood (honors bronze); Silah Leazer (scholastic bronze); Frances Akers (scholastic fourth place); Braden Ballard (varsity gold); Alessandra Lazaro (varsity silver); Alexander Jimenez Andrade (alternate fourth place); and Rose Devlin (alternate fifth place).
Top scorers in Language and Literature included Hughson High School students Elizabeth Becchetti (honors gold); Shane Lockwood (honors fourth place); Frances Akers (scholastic silver); Silah Leazer (scholastic bronze); Braden Ballard (varsity fifth place); and Rose Devlin (alternate fifth place).
Hughson High students also had a strong showing in art competition with eight top finishers. They included: Elizabeth Becchetti (honors gold); Shane Lockwood (honors silver); Silah Leazer (scholastic silver); Anneliese Ramirez (scholastic bronze); Frances Akers (scholastic fifth place); Braden Ballard (varsity bronze); Jillian Wade (varsity fifth place); and Rose Devlin (alternate gold).
Top scores in Music competition included the following Hughson High School students: Elizabeth Becchetti (honors gold); Shane Lockwood (honors fifth place); Silah Leazer (scholastic silver); Frances Akers (scholastic bronze); Anneliese Ramirez (scholastic fifth place); Braden Ballard (varsity bronze); and Rose Devlin (alternate fifth place).
Social Science competition resulted in seven Hughson High School students taking a top score: Elizabeth Becchetti (honors gold); Shane Lockwood (honors fifth place); Silah Leazer (scholastic fourth place); Frances Akers (scholastic bronze); Anneliese Ramirez (scholastic fifth place); Braden Ballard (varsity fourth place); Jillian Wade (varsity fifth place); and Rose Devlin (alternate fifth place).
The event was co-sponsored by the Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE), E.&J. Gallo Winery, and Mocse Credit Union.
