Decathlons: Not Only for Sports Enthusiasts

’s Academic Decathlon team raced to first place recently at Montville High School in Oakdale.

Throughout the 2010-2011 school year the Trumbull team advanced from the local and regional competition to triumph at the recent state level event. The latest win means that THS is now eligible to participate at the United States Academic Decathlon (USAD) national competition that will take place in Charlotte, N.C., April 27-30.

Dean Pelligra, co-advisor for the club, said his team “performed well beyond our expectations. The hard work that the students put into their preparations was evident as the team—only in its second year—outscored exclusive private school Hamden Hall, fellow school and defending champions, New Fairfield, as well as other state high schools, all of which have been competing in the event for several years.”

Trumbull High’s Academic Decathlon team members include seniors Heather Dahlin, Betsy Pham, Elizabeth Tomasco, Merritt Ruff and Shannon Green; juniors Daniel Hirshfield and Annie Lane and sophomore Vishakha Negi.  

The entire team competed in 10 events and alternates Kristie Shomsky and Rachel Son participated on an individual basis and walked away with medals.

Senior member, Shannon Green, said of the competition: “During the competition I enjoyed seeing old friends from the last decathlon and meeting new friends from other public and private schools. I still keep in touch with them today.” 

Along with the numerous academic challenges posed at the recent state competition, Trumbull High School worked with members of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy who volunteered for the speech and essay portions of the contest.

Later, the team ran the Super Quiz Relay, the culmination of a full day of testing. Open to the public, this event encourages competitors to show their enthusiasm and cheer on their team members.

Pelligra, co-advisor, recalled highlights of the competition, including “the moment when the championship was announced and the team was brought up to the front of the auditorium to collect the first-place trophy to the applause of the audience made up of students, coaches and parents.” 

Pelligra, along with co-coaches Vin Artese, Steffanie Elkins and Louis Monaco find the program of value to students. The USAD’s mission is to provide students of all learning levels the chance to stand out in an academic manner.

Each team consists of three students in the Honors division who must have a GPA of 3.75 or better. Three students with GPAs between 3.0 to 3.75 make up the Scholastic division, and three students with GPA’s of 3.0 and below are members of the Varsity division. 

Students weigh their knowledge in 10 categories that include art, economics, essay, interview, language and literature, math, music, science, social science and speech against their peers.

Each year also has a specific focus. The focus of the 2010-2011 season was the Great Depression. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded for individual events and total scores. 

The Trumbull High School team meets once a week throughout the year to prepare for the various competitions. Most meetings involve teaching and reviewing about the focus topic. The students prepare for an essay, an interview, and both a prepared and impromptu speech.

The team will spend upcoming meetings deepening their understanding of the Great Depression and preparing for the national title.