Ten St. Joachim Junior High Students Take Home First Place in the Academic Decathlon Super Quiz

St. Joachim Junior High students participated at the annual Academic Decathlon competition of the Diocese of Orange in Rancho Santa Margarita on Saturday, March 6th and took home team medals for first place in the Super Quiz, fourth place in the Logic Quiz and individual medals for third place in social studies and fourth place in English.

It was a memorable weekend for the ten participants and their coaches. In the Academic Decathlon Super Quiz they secured first place in an impressive team effort. Principal Sr. Kathleen Marie proudly declared, “We all felt like we were taking home the Championship title.”

170 students from 17 schools throughout the Diocese participated in this year’s academic decathlon to showcase their knowledge in eight core subjects and two team competitions. Mrs. Mora, the head coach, reflected on the last two months: “It was hard this year for the students. Some of the study material was very general and covered a broad area, making it difficult to pinpoint what to study. It was a challenge, but we proudly took it on!”

Both coaches, Mrs. Mora and Mr. Hopkins, who is also the 8th grade teacher, commented on how pleased they were with the decathletes’ excellent accomplishments individually and, also, as a team: “They really pulled together and bonded during the final days of study, and an inspirational team spirit took over. They became like a little family in the last weeks of preparation.”

The ten Junior High students, despite their nerves, presented themselves in such a calm, confident and relaxed manner during the team competitions that other schools approached them afterwards, clamoring to find out their preparation strategy.

What is the goal for next year? “We got such great results this year, it inspires us to go for the State title next year!” Mrs. Mora concludes with the support of the whole team.

St. Joachim Parish School is a private Catholic school located at 1964 Orange Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627. More information on the school is available at (949) 574-7411 or online at www.stjoachimparishschool.com