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Local students medal in virtual Academic Decathlon
Academic decathlon artwork

Due to COVID-19, the Stanislaus County Academic Decathlon was a virtual event.  Hailed as the biggest academic event for local high schools, the decathlon is a series of tests, speeches and interviews featuring this year’s theme, “The Cold War.”  Speech and Interview presentations were conducted by Zoom, while essay and objective testing were completed online.  Students continued their late-night study sessions and team practices remotely.  

The decathlon promotes interschool competition in academics and is supported through contributions made by businesses and the community.  According to SCOE Student Events Manager Cheryl Goulart, the goal of the decathlon is to stimulate intellectual growth and scholastic success.

“The competition is open to all students, not just the top-achievers,” said Goulart.  “Our objective is to recognize student achievement and to emphasize the positive dimensions of education.”

Participating schools send a total of nine members to serve as the core team – up to three students in each of three categories, based on grade point averages. Schools may send as many alternate participants as they choose.  Eleven local high schools participated in this year’s event including: Ceres, Hughson, Beyer, Central Catholic, Davis, Enochs, Johansen, Modesto, Oakdale, Patterson and Valley Charter.  

This year’s first place team will represent Stanislaus County at the virtual California Academic Decathlon State Finals in March.  

Enochs High School of Modesto was the winning team of the 2020-21 Stanislaus County Academic Decathlon, with Oakdale High as the runner-up and Beyer High as the third place team. Enochs also was the Super Quiz winner and the Challenge Cup Winner.

Individual Results for 2021 Stanislaus County Academic Decathlon include these local students:

In Language and Literature, Alvino Lopez of Ceres High and Lupita Negrete of Hughson High took Honors Silver; Jade Harrell of Ceres High took Honors Bronze; and Devin Higgins of Hughson took Scholastic Bronze.

The top scores for Social Science went to: Lupita Negrete of Hughson High took Honors Bronze; Alvino Lopez of Ceres High took Honors 5th place; Devin Higgins of Hughson took Scholastic Bronze; and Emily Muzquiz of Hughson High took Scholastic 4th.

Top Scores for Science include Emily Muzquiz of Hughson High who took Scholastic 4th.

Top scores for Art included: Alvino Lopez of Ceres High who took Honors Silver; Angeles Ramirez of Ceres High who took Honors Bronze; Lupita Negrete of Hughson High who took Honors 4th place; and Avery Ada of Hughson High who claimed Varsity Bronze.

Top Scores for Math competition included: Awad Shaif of Ceres High School who took Varsity 4th place; and Avery Ada of Hughson High who claimed Varsity 5th place.

The top scores for Economic went to: Angeles Ramirez of Ceres High who took Honors 4th place;

And Lupita Negrete of Hughson High took Honors 5th place.

Top Scores for Essay went to: Lupita Negrete of Hughson High who took Honors 5th place; and Avery Ada of Hughson High who claimed Varsity 5th place.

Top Scores for Interview competition were: Avery Ada of Hughson High who claimed Varsity Bronze.