Officials, Students Laud El Camino Team
The euphoria was only just beginning to wear off Thursday for El Camino Real High School’s Academic Decathlon team, which last weekend captured 34 medals and second place in the national competition in Atlanta.
Savoring the team’s accomplishments as long as possible, the school held a noon pep rally for its returning heroes, who also were the California Academic Decathlon champions. Team members and coaches were lauded by Sid Thompson, superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, school board President Mark Slavkin and representatives of Mayor Richard Riordan, City Councilwoman Laura Chick and County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.
“These kids are winners,” Slavkin said amid cheering.
The Woodland Hills team placed a close second behind J. Frank Dobie High School of Pasadena, Texas, which had 49,835 points to El Camino’s 49,550 in the 15th annual national contest.
El Camino’s team was made up of Matthew Backes, Eldar Brodski, Arabella David, Isis Okowita, Sarah Sabolek, Dale Shuger, Jenny Stefanotty, Kasra Torabi and Justin Weaver. The coaches were David Roberson and Sharon Markenson.
Life was slowly returning to normal for the team Thursday, Justin said. “We are coming back down to Earth,” he said.
Team members were fatigued from countless hours of preparation for the decathlon and weren’t looking forward to all the work they have to do to catch up back at El Camino.
“We have so much make-up work, it’s ridiculous,” Sarah said.
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