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AcDec recruits decathletes of the academic variety
The Academic Decathlon class at a competition for the 2009-2010 school year. Photo courtesy of Jamie Landgraff
Written by Marli Mayon - Staff Writer
The Academic Decathlon class that Gilbert High School offers allows students to compete throughout the state and across the country and offers scholarships. AC DEC is a national program and honors elective, with a weighted grade. The class has a bit of everything for “A”, “B”, and “C” students to study and compete in including; music, art, speech, interview, language and literature, mathematics, economics, and essay writing.
Jamie Landgraff, the Academic Decathlon Coach and teacher of the class is “trying to increase student interest” to take the class because of the life skills it offers, such as speaking, writing, and resume writing.
Prize money is granted to competitors for every medal they win, in addition to trophies like the one that Gilbert’s AC DEC team won at the recent regionals competition for “Overall Outstanding Speech” that now graces Landgraff’s desk.
Landgraff said that the class has a very diverse group of kids who are able to unite and work hard together both in class and in competitions. “No two of my kids are alike, there’s something about the class that turns them into friends,” said Landgraff.
The sudden increase of AC DEC advertisement is due to the fact that classes such as this one are at risk of being cut from the curriculum next year. Landgraff urges students to take the elective and keep the Academic Decathlon class alive.
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