Local

18 OC DIOCESE SCHOOLS COMPETE IN JUNIOR HIGH ACADEMIC DECATHLON

St. Cecilia and St. Edward the Confessor win titles

3/15/2016

Demonstrating a love of learning, 18 Catholic elementary schools from the Diocese of Orange gathered at Santa Margarita Catholic High School on March 5 for the 20th annual Junior High Academic Decathlon competition. These schools and their teams of 10 learners completed in two all-team events, the Logic Quiz and the five subject Super Quiz and eight individual events.  Two first place awards were given representing the top scoring small school (single class per grade) and large school (multiple classes per grade) categories.

St. Cecilia Catholic School, located in Tustin earned the small school champion title with their 2nd place finish in the Logic Quiz, their 2nd place finish in the Super Quiz, and with individual awards including: 1st place in Literature (tie), English, and Social Studies; 2nd place in Science (tie); and 3rd place in Math, Current Events, Fine Arts, and Religion.  Principal Mary Alvarado of St. Cecilia shared, “This competition is rigorous and demands a six month commitment to scholarship.  More importantly, the decathletes learn the essential skills of collaboration, team work, and sportsmanship.”

The Parish School at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, located in Dana Point, earned the large school champion title with their 1st place finish in the Logic Quiz, 1st place finish in the Super Quiz, and individual awards including: 1st place in Literature (tie) and Fine Arts (tie); 2nd place in Science (tie), Current Events, and English; and 4th place in Social Studies (tie).  Principal Catherine Muzzy of the Parish School noted, “This competition is a celebration of academic excellence.  I love the point by point play of the Super Quiz which keeps fans on the edge of their seats!”

The Parish School at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church will represent the Diocese of Orange at the State of California competition scheduled for Saturday, April 9th in Dana Point.  This is the 6th time that this school will represent the Diocese of Orange.  They hope to defend their state title from 2015.