The Academic Decathlon team won their division and are going to the state competition being the first team from Capistrano Unified School to be invited. 

The team faced many challenges going into the competition this year due to the pandemic, which delayed their process for receiving materials and the recruitment process for five months. 

The team met two times a week, studying this year’s theme “The Cold War.” Subjects they had to learn included Math, Science, Economics, Art, Social Science, Literature and Music, with information spanning from subject basics to specifics surrounding the subject with relation to the Cold War. 

Additionally, the team had to write an essay, participate in an interview and do two speeches: one prepared in advance and the other on demand. 

The virtual competition was unlike any prior competition, as the essay was taken socially distanced at school, while the multiple choice tests were at home, and the interview and speech portions were streamed over Zoom at home as well. 

With all the difficulties that came with this year, no member of the team expected to do as well as prior competitions, so when the award ceremony came around it was a shock to all when the team won 22 medals, their division and 9th place overall in the competition, scoring a total of 35,177.7 points. Senior captain, Ryan Marin, even won a scholarship as well. 

“I was definitely in shock that moment. It was a huge surprise to all of us when they announced our school because we didn’t think we would make it,” said Shamitha Pichika, junior.

The team has only improved over the past few years, as last year was the first time the team won it’s division. 

Every year, the California Academic Decathlon competition invites top scoring teams to compete from across the state. This year they invited the highest number ever from Orange County, a total of the top 9 nine teams. 

“I got a call over the weekend when I was in the middle of packing up my house for a move and I had to sit down for a few minutes: I was completely floored. It’s been fun keeping the secret for a few days, and even more fun to watch the group chat explode when it was announced at awards,” said team coach, Danielle Serio. 

The rest of the team found out on February 17th when the awards took place. 

Despite Capistrano Unified schools competing since the program started in the 60’s, SJHHS is the first to have a team make it to the state level of the competition.

“We need money. If anyone out there wants to sift through couch cushions this weekend and donate to the team, that would be A+. We try every year to make Academic Decathlon accessible to everyone, and it’s expensive to register and get materials together. I’d love to find a solution to that soon,” said Serio, pointing out another way to support the team. 

The team will compete in the state competition in March and see where it goes from there. If you are interested in learning more, follow the team on instagram @sjhhsacadeca.