Taft High Academic Team Basks in Glory of Victory

For the nine students in Taft High School’s Room M-261, Wednesday was a day to bask in some glory, celebrate and tend to all the things they had neglected since August.

After all, the Woodland Hills students figured they had earned a break by capturing the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Academic Decathlon title Tuesday night for the second year in row. It was only the second time in the competition’s seven-year history that a school had won two straight.

The district’s annual competition actually was held Nov. 19, but it was not until Tuesday’s banquet that school officials announced the Taft team had held onto its title.

So Wednesday, the students took a break from the relentless studying, perhaps looking ahead to the state competition in Bakersfield in March.

One went to traffic court to take care of a jaywalking ticket. Another had to fill out college applications. Another just wanted to rest. Others happily accepted the congratulations of fellow students.

The studying officially resumes Monday inside Room M-261, where the students will once again immerse themselves in academic subjects ranging from world history to physics.

Students on the nine-member team point to their coach, soft-spoken Arthur Berchin, as the reason for their success. On a team with no returning members from year to year, Berchin is the common denominator.

Since Berchin began coaching Taft’s academic decathlon team four years ago, it has never placed lower than fifth in the citywide competition. Last year the team won the statewide competition and placed second in the national contest in San Antonio.

This year, Berchin said, victory is once more in the air.

“This team has the academic talent to win, but whether they let other factors interfere is yet to be seen,” he said.

Determined Bunch

Berchin described his proteges as pleasant, independent, determined and dedicated. But they try not to take things too seriously.

“I think for all of us school comes first, but we try not to let it rule our lives,” said Marc Sarti, 17.

“His most effective way of coaching is death threats,” joked team member Andrew Goodman. “Medals are nice, but when your life is on the line, well . . . .”

In addition to Sarti and Goodman, members of the all-seniors Taft team are: Shawn Canter, Rodney Crump, Lisa Demsky, Michael Pocrass, Roy Rapoport, Andrew Rosenthal and Deborah Sim.