Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies - Excalibur Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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Decathlon banquet, yum — Decathlon team member Lea Jayasinghe looks at her certificate that she received. She eats her dinner with many other stu- dents from other schools that she com- peted against during the Academic De- cathlon competition. Hanging around — Between tests the Academic Decathlon team members stand around and wait for their next lest to begin. They wonder whether it will be an oral quiz or a written lest which is preferred by the teammates. Congratulations, — says Mr. Ed- ward Gershon as he shakes his student. Dean Taylor ' s hand. Mr. Gershon is the coach of the Academic Decathlon team, and he was very pleased to learn that his students ranked very highly in the Academic Decathlon competition. Study, Study, Study — is all that Sandy Jaffa is doing. She is studying for the Academic Decathlon. She stud- ies for oral as well as written tests. The Academic Decathlon is a competition and a class. Mr. Gershon is the head of both of these. Competitions Academics

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lS( a C ? ' s tudents going to school preparing for later in life At is the first day of school. You look at your list of classes and think to yourself, Why did I come to such a hard school? Why am I here? I think people come to Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies because they know that they will get an academically enriched education, said Assistant Principal of counceling services, Mrs. Rita Hymes. Sherman Oaks CES has a widespread variety of academic classes. This school also has many dedicated teachers that help to enhance the programs ' value. I came to Sherman Oaks CES to get a good education and I also like that you get put into the grade level that you belong in, Rachel Boiler, fifth grader, said. At Sherman Oaks CES we have many special classes. Our school also has many classes that will help to prepare you for college. My third grade teacher recommended that I should come to Sherman Oaks CES to enhance my education and to prepare me for college, said Michael Kopernik, ninth grader. Many students come to this school to prepare themselves for college or for whatever they have planned after graduation. Although this school has many opportunities there is a waiting list of approximately three thousand. The waiting period is about two to three years. Many people wait less than this, but people also wait much longer, said Mrs. Clement. This school had better academic opportunities than my old school, said Reginald Huntsman, Senior, I had to wait about two years to get in to this school. In one word I would describe this school as superb. Study — The academic decathlon team is busy pre- paring for the competition that is coming up in a few weeks. The teacher, Mr Gershon, is the head of the decathlon and must help to prepare them for this important competition. Questions Anyone? — Ms. Eller asks as she thumbs through her book. Class is almost out and everyone is getting ready to go. Questions are prob- ably the last things on people ' s minds. Ms. Eller said as the bell rang. Why they ' re here q -i Academics 1

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We need a long study break, now A C A D E M I C S Oui-of-school competi- tions are exciting and fun. giving students a chance to show their skills to other people, while competing against other schools. Although this competition can be scary, the experience is exhilarating. At my first speech and de- bate competition I was very ner- vous, but I lived through it. I stood up in front of all the peo- ple and just did my speech. I thought I would just die, but it ended up being a lot of fun, said Jason Menadue. Nervousness is a big part of the Academic Decathlon. Tak- ing written tests as well as tak- ing oral tests is what the Aca- demic Decathlon is all about. Studying is a major part of the preparation. Joining the Decathlon pro- vides a well-rounded overview of education. The Decathlon was a great experience for me to have. All of the studying in- volved with the competition will All of the studying involved with compe- titions will help in later life. • • also help me in later life, said Sandy Jaffe. The Academic Pentathlon is a lot like the Academic Decath- lon. The Pentathlon is for grades seven and eight, with nine teammates on a team. They all agree that all of the work they do is worth it. We study during lunch al- most every day and after school. Some of the team members think that this might be a lot, but it really is not. When they see what the competition is. they will realize that all the studying pays off. said Don LaFraniere, Coach. Mathcounts is the only out- of-school competition that deals with math. I feel that there should be more people on the Mathcounts team, said Dr. Marian Pasternack. Studying and testing are a very big part of being in a major competition at any level, said Theresa Pinhey. AnoH ' the ansner, call me — says Karen Lee as she raises her hand to answer the question at the Academic Decathlon competition. Karen Lee rated very highly on the Decathlon tests. She received an award for her scores. The other members of the team also scored high as a group and as individuals. Many awards were received by this group. Competitions q ' Academics O J