Academic Decathlon
* As coach of the El Camino Real High School academic decathlon program, I read with interest the article headlined “No-Brainer,” Jan. 7.
It is time for a division competition concept to be used in academic decathlon competitions. Schools that number only a few hundred students do find it difficult to compete with schools that number several thousand. At the state level, the California Academic Decathlon is addressing this very issue.
What I found disturbing in the article was complaints that other Ventura County coaches expressed toward Moorpark and Simi Valley high schools. If there are comparable numbers of students in the 19 schools that compete in the county, then it really comes down to only a few factors, such as the support of the school administration, faculty and student interest.
Couple this sind of support with dedicated coaches like Larry Jones and Ken Hibbits, then mix in the effort it requires to succeed, and any school could have a competitive program. The students who dedicate their efforts to an outstanding program such as the decathlon would then be entitled to the rewards they have earned.
DAVID ROBERSON
Woodland Hills
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