John Wesley North High School - Aurora Yearbook (Riverside, CA)

Page 218 text:

Team Performs ' Olympic-ly ' They laughed together, studied to- gether, became ill together, . . . and stuck together for almost six months. And after their experience, they all affirmed that it had been the most memorable activity of their high school years. They were the Aca- demic Decathlon team members and coach, brought together to prepare for a daylong academic decathlon. This contest tested student aptitude and ability in writing, math, science, social science, economics, literature, fine arts, speech, and interviewing, capped by an oral Super Quiz in which each team member was guizzed individually on a pre-selected topic. From the efforts of Edie Chang, Carrianne Hsyf-fayslett, Sandeep Jau- har, Jerry Lovatt, Helen Sanematsu, lay Stanley, Kerry Tomlinson, Lynne Westafer, Steve Wong, and Mr. Chuck Libolt, North ' s team received first place in the Riverside County Academic Decathlon and 12th place in the subsequent state competition. Preparing for the competition was so much fun that at times the competition itself seemed secondary, Sanematsu, a member of the Scholastic (B) divi- sion, candidly explained. Although the rest of the team shared similar feelings, meetings were often ar- ranged with much difficulty because of scheduling conflicts resulting from the members ' active involvement in other school activities. Supplement- ing lunch sessions, the team often got together all day Fridays and on week- ends, many times with teachers of the various decathlon subjects. But these meetings were definitely not all work and no play. 1 spend most of my time arguing with Sandeep about current events, Stanley, also a Scholastic member, commented, f-fayslett, in the Varsity (C) division, remarked, The team eats a lot so I have to keep shuf- fling between the SIP room and fast food places bringing food! Between socializing, eating, and listening to lectures, the team made videotapes of ACADHMK.- DECATHLON their team mascot, a stuited armadillo, using school film equipment. Going into the County Decathlon competi- tion, Wong, an alternate, pointed out, You could say that we ' re not over- prepared. This seemed to be a correct assess- ment of the situation. During most of the County competition, held at Poly High School, the team trailed. By noon, however, it had jumped to 3rd place and was gaining momentum from strong showings in social sci- ence and essay writing. Before the Super Quiz, testing student knowl- edge on Megatrends, a best-selling book on futurism in American society, the team was separated from first place Palm Springs by 800 points. Spurred by impressive showings from all the members. North overtook Palm Springs and ended the day 1200 points ahead with 40 medals and tro- phies. This has to be the best exper- ience I ' ve ever had during my years of teaching, exclaimed Mr. Libolt. This is a blast; I just can ' t believe it! raved Jauhar, a member of the Hon- ors (A) division. Before the December 27 California Academic Decathlon competition, held at Chapman College in Orange County, the team suffered a couple of setbacks. Their reservations at the Rodeway Inn were cancelled and Lo- vatt, a member of the Varsity division, came down with the flu. Nevertheless, the team braved tough competition from high schools all over the state, ended the day ' s testing in 1 7th place, and was buoyed to 1 2th place by its showing in the subsequent Super Quiz. Afterwards, a trip to Disnelyand was a welcomed break. Upon return- ing, several members reflected on their entire Academic Decathlon ex- perience. I really benefited from the knowledge and team work, said Tomlinson, a member of the Honors division. Chang and Westafer, alter- nates on the team, added, It ' s going to be tough to find anything to top this. ••■ ACADEMIC DECATHLON TEAM MEM- BERS; .jtc-ve Wong (alt.), Edie Chang (ait.), Lyiirit; Westafer (alt.), Mr. Libolt, Sandeep lauhar, Helen Sanematsu, lay Stanley, Kerry Tomlinson (not pir- tur.-i r Hayslell. !. bv.. ,1 ' ' Fatigued by yet another lecture on. Classical music, Kerry Tomlinson sits through an Academic- Decathlon lunch meeting. Lunch hours were often sacrificed in preparation for the competition. 214 academics

Page 217 text:

Showing off the feeling of satisfaction she gets Irom carmq for tier lamb, Lisa Roseberry tiandles tier cuddly project in tier Sfti period Animal Husbandry class. Reading intently in his 6th period Uiivei I.. i class, Mark Troisi prepares for tlie upcoming test. Provisional licensing placed more pressure on stu- dents to do well on tests. After leading their baby pig out of its pen for an examination, Robert Arquello and Derrick Robinson try to keep it from scurrying away. Ttie piglet was their hands-on pro]ect for the semester. electives-home ec, ag., driver ed. 213

Page 219 text:

Welcoming a change of mood, : i. Academic Decathlon team members apf Jauii Mr. Libolt ' s sense of humor with an eruption of laughter. Joking with Mr. Libolt about a point that he made m a lecture, Helen Sanematsu gleefully ob- serves the antics of a fellow team member. Breaks were dispersed throughout long meetings to relieve tension. competitions- academic decathlon 215