LOCAL : Woodland Hills Scholars Compete

Nine students from Taft High School in Woodland Hills are being grilled in mathematics, economics, science, language, literature and fine arts in Bakersfield today as they defend their title of Academic Decathlon champions against 44 teams from around the state. If they win the grueling 2 1/2-day state competition--which includes personal interviews, essay writing, prepared and impromptu speeches and oral quizzes--they will compete in the national championships in Rhode Island next month. After winning the state championships last year, the Taft team came in second place at the national competition.