Cheers for Champions : Banners, Flags and Repeated Shouts of ‘No. 1!’ Welcome Home Taft’s Triumphant Academic Decathlon Winners

The waiting area at Los Angeles International Airport was transformed into a sea of red and yellow Monday. There were balloons, carnations, banners and school shirts--all heralding Taft High School in Woodland Hills.

The assembled student government leaders waited excitedly for the flight from Newark, N.J., that carried their schoolmates, winners of the 13th annual U.S. Academic Decathlon. The students in the waiting area made as much noise as the planes overhead.

“I say ‘number,’ you say ‘one!’ ” someone shouted.

“Number . . . “

“One!”

“Number . . . “

“One!”

As the cheering continued, another group of supporters showed up.

“We ditched school to come see our friends,” said 18-year-old senior Hilla Shprung.

Hilla and about five others said they had to take an English test early so they could come to the airport.

“It’s been a good year for us,” said Jennifer Zankan, the student body historian. “My scrapbook’s full.”

About 15 minutes later, the students crowded around one of the gates as the jet pulled up to the terminal. The victors were among the last to get off the plane.

Kimberly Shapiro was welcomed by two of her best friends, Jennifer Fields, 17, and Shauna Howard, 18.

Three weeks earlier, the three of them had spent part of their spring break in Palm Springs. For Kimberly, it had been a needed respite from long hours of study.

“I think if you relax part of the time and you’re not stressing out completely, you perform better,” she said.

Kimberly’s philosophy proved successful as she captured a gold medal in the speech category and finished third among 175 students in the B grade-point-average group. She also netted a $2,000 scholarship, one of many for the Taft students.

Andrew Salter, who finished as the second-best student overall, behind teammate Daniel Berdichevsky, held up the winning trophy as others waved California state flags.

Daniel said that being crowned the best high school academic in the nation among students with A averages has left him in a good mood.

“For the next few weeks and probably for a long time, I’m going to be the happiest person in the city,” Daniel said.

He said he has fulfilled his ultimate goal--”to be a member of the No. 1 team in the nation.”

Stephen Shaw, 16, and the team’s only junior, did not know if he would compete next year.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Stephen said. “Right now, I’m feeling an extreme high.”

Sage Vaughn, a senior, received hugs and kisses from his girlfriend.

Sage, a self-described underachiever and one of the team’s three C students, said he was coerced into joining the team.

“The college counselor and my history teacher saw my potential and talked me into trying out,” he said.

After completing a journey that began nine months ago, the champions left the national competition having recorded the highest score in the history of the event.

“I think this kind of challenge can bring out the best in everyone,” Andrew said.