DHS WINS 2010 COLORADO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Academic Decathlon Team Makes Durango Proud

     Over President’s Day weekend, the DHS Academic Decathlon Team squared off against the top 15 academic decathlon teams in the state and brought home a well-deserved state championship.

     The United States Academic Decathlon (USAD) provides students of all learning levels the opportunity to excel academically through team competition in an educational forum that fosters a deep respect for knowledge, cooperation, and self-esteem.The competitive events are modeled after the Olympics by stimulating academic achieve-ment and honoring “athletes of the mind.”Each team consists of nine full-time (enrolled in four or more class periods per day) students from the ninth through twelfth grades of the same high school and is made up of three Honor students (with GPAs of 3.75+), three Scholastic students (with GPAs of 3.0 – 3.75), and three Varsity students (GPAs of 0 – 3.0 GPAs).

     The DHS decathletes showcased their knowledge and understanding of this year’s topic, The French Revolution, through the lens of ten subject areas: History, Literature, Art, Economics, Math, Chemistry, Music, Speech (both prepared and impromptu), Essay and Interview.Even long-standing competitor, Boulder High School, was shut out by a substantial margin.

     Gabrielle Massone won the award for overall top student in the state, followed closely by Will Hakes.In addition to Massone and Hakes, all other members medaled in 2 or more events, which may foretell future successes of this young team.DHS now progresses to the National Competition held in Omaha, Nebraska on April 21-24, 2010.

     This year’s DHS Academic Decathlon Team is coached by DHS Teacher Daniel Garner and comprised of Senior Will Hakes; Juniors Gabrielle Massone and Ethan Webb; Sophomores Kalab Coy, Hunter Purdum, AJ Alexander, and James Triola; and Freshmen Zofie Mandelski, Katie Dudley, and Tyler Cordell.