The Best of the Best

For the second year in a row, El Camino Real High School’s Academic Decathlon team has beaten strong competition in both the state and regional competitions to advance to the national Academic Decathlon in Utah next week (April 16-19). For nearly the past year, the nine team members have been drilling themselves in 10 different subjects ranging from economics to fine arts to prepare. The team is divided into three groups based on grade point averages: varsity students have a GPA of up to 2.99, scholastic students’ GPA is between 3.0 and 3.74 and honors students have a 3.75 or above grade point average. LUCILLE RENWICK spoke to some of the decathletes about why they joined the team and what they’ve learned from their year as academic decathletes.

MIKE MONTGOMERY

16, senior, varsity team member

There are many reasons I joined the team. I was thinking of trying out for the team in my junior year because I thought it would be a really good experience for me. It was also a resume builder. But the challenge has been the big thing for me--to beat last year’s team and to win nationals.

When we were done with our first rounds we thought we had a chance to be as good or better than last year’s team so that was a goal for us.

I learned to try as many things as possible, just don’t over commit yourself. You’re in high school and this is the time to explore and take risks and make mistakes so you don’t have regrets later on or make those mistakes as an adult.

TAMARA MILLER

17, senior, scholastic team

When I first came to El Camino in 1992, that was the year the school lost to Taft and my grandfather called me up and asked me ‘Why aren’t you on that team?’ This is my family’s mentality: If there’s something fantastic, you should be doing it. But I also thought this was the best thing anybody could do in high school and I wanted to be a part of it. I knew there’d be sacrifices, but that’s life.

Even if we hadn’t won city and state I think it’s all worth it because I’ve learned so much. You’re given 10 subjects and you’re asked to be a master at them. I’ve never really felt the thrill of winning that other people on the team have. I’ve really enjoyed the learning.

I also think I’ve learned that I can discipline myself and work hard toward something. I do wish that I worked harder in high school, but I always found my classes easy and I didn’t have the drive to go above and beyond as a student.

I’ve never felt so tired from complete mental exhaustion before this. But it’s been worth it. I’m assuming that in five years I’ll look back and say this was one of the best things I did.

DAWN ROBINSON

18, senior, honors team member

I had heard about the AcaDeca team last year and I tried out, but I didn’t make it. So I tried again this year. I like to do it pretty much because I’m a competitive person. Part of it was also for my record for college and because people kept asking me why I wasn’t on it. But mostly it’s because I’m competitive and really like to win.

It’s fun to some degree. The staying here [at school] and studying till all hours isn’t fun.

I heard at the start what we’d have to give up, but I didn’t comprehend all we’d have to give up. I’ve learned a lot about budgeting my time from all this. There’s a lot less time to waste because of all the things I want to do. I haven’t gone to a lot of senior events like the senior picnic and rollerskating party, things that aren’t that important, but that I would’ve gone to.

ROGER REES

18, senior, varsity team member

I didn’t know much of anything about the decathlon team before I joined. My English teacher told me I should try out for it, because even though I was getting a C in her class, I was getting As on the tests. I just wouldn’t do the work and that brought my grade down, but I did pretty well on the exams.

I can’t say whether being on decathlon was worth it or not because I joined the team for my resume and to help with college applications. I got into UCSB, but not to Berkeley or UCLA. If I had gotten in to Berkeley or UCLA then I would’ve been able to say it was worth it and it was what got me in. There are still things I’ve gotten out of it.

For one, I know the Strait of Malacha connects the Andaman Sea and the South China Sea. I know I’ve gained something from all the knowledge that I’ve gained, but I don’t see how or when I’m going to use most of it.

It’s gonna be hard to come to school once the national decathlon is over because I won’t have the decathlon.