Los Angeles High school student Sharmaine Cerezo, 17, waits outside a classroom at Sacramento High School for the interview portion of the Academic Decathlon State Championship. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles High School students huddle in the hallway before the Super Quiz. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles High School student Joanna Manansala high-fives John De Toro, who helps coach the team, and fellow student Salome Ok after completing the speech and interview portions of the competition. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles High School students Andy Ayala and Sun Garcia Baltazar, from left, compete in the event’s Super Quiz. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The Super Quiz was held in the historic Memorial Building. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles High students Salome Ok, front, Puntip Sathatham, left, and Joanna Manansala study for the Super Quiz. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
