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

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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

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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

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— Outstand ing Students Honored — Academic Decathlon Team College Bowl Team National Achievement Program {or Carrianne Hayslett Bob Bla.-kman Outstanding Negro Students Sandeep lauhar Sandeep lauhar Semihnalist Jerry LovatI Stephen Negus KImIiI l;(i.)uti Helen Sanemalsu Helen Sanemalsu Jay Stanley Jay Stanley National Merit Scholarship Finalists Kerry Tomlinson Bob Blackman DAR Outstanding Citizen Award Sandeep Jauhar Alternates Lauren Stewart Jennifer Rinne Edie Chang Knrry Toinlinoon Lynne Westaler Edison Scholarship Semifinalists Steve Wong Sandeep lauhar Commended Students Kristi Lund Rebeci::a Everett Bank ol America Awards Jennifer Rinne Krisli J.und Plaque Winners Helen Sanemalsu Liberal Arts, Jay Stanley Lauren Stewart Pamela Watts Sandeep Jauhar Science lvlath, Knsti Lund 1 SCHOLARSHIPS 1 Fine Arts, ■ AWARDS 1 NOTE Achievement Award in Writing Helen Sanemalsu Certificate Winners Art Damon Walker ■ HONORS ■ San. lee[. lauhar Optimist Club Essay Regional Winner Sandeep Jauhar Agriculture Daniel Billy Business Lisa Cabrera Rotary Club Speech Winner Computer Studies Todd Alfiers Kerry Tomlinson Drama Elizabeth Drey Gemco Contest Finalist English Kerry Tomlinson Bob Blackman Seymour Memorial Award Nominees f For. Languages Grace Ruben Rebecca Everett 1 Home Economics Betty Felix Girls State Representative Sandeep lauhar 1 Lab Science Andrew Peek Edie Chanq 1 Mathematics Rebecca Everett So. Cal. Edison Grant Nominee ■ Music Noelle Balla Hugh O ' Brien Leadership Award Cathy Foster .. B Social Studies Becky Blann Steve Bunyak ■ H Trades Miguel Martinez Japan-U.S. Senate Scholarship 9 Bausch and Lomh Science Award Nominee Sandeep Jauhar My Phuonq Iran I National Merit Finalists Bob Blackman, Kerry Tomlinson, Sandeep Jauhar, and Jennifer Rinne prepared for departure into college life by scoring in the top one percent of high school juniors on the PSAT test National Achievement Semifinalist Khali Dhouli was pleasantly surprised when he was noli fled of his selection by program, which annuall honors outstanding black students who score wf! n the PSAT 216 academics