There are millions of reasons why you should join Academic Decathlon, it looks good on college applications, it teaches you how to study efficiently, and you get to expand your knowledge on so many new topics. I never knew I would have to learn about opportunity cost and painting frescoes in the same class period. I didn’t even know what a fresco was! (It’s a watercolor painting painted onto fresh plaster-crazy, right?) I originally walked into AcDec, not knowing what it would entail. I thought it was just a cute trivia class, perhaps something I would be able to impress colleges with. Of course, I didn’t know how wrong I was at the time.
A quick Google search will tell you, “Academic Decathlon: an annual high school academic competition organized by the non-profit United States Academic Decathlon. The competition consists of seven objective multiple-choice tests, two subjective performance events, and an essay.” Unfortunately, this search came after I had listened to my friend and put the class on my schedule, completely oblivious to what my first year of high school would look like.
August 1st, 8:15 a.m. I walked into the AcDec classroom and greeted Madame Knighton, curious as to what my day would look like. Only two months beforehand, I received an email informing me I had to read a novel and seven resource guides. These resource guides included information about anything you could ever want to know about climate change. It was intimidating, but I assured myself that I would be able to carry the workload. Quickly, I realized that to do well in a study-focused class…I had to study. I went home every day, read my resource guides, made flashcards, and gave myself quizzes, hoping to prove myself within the class. I slowly got better, and I began getting higher scores on tests. As the year progressed, I caught myself eager to go to my Academic Decathlon class. Maybe you can argue it was my dedication to learning new things, but I’m sure it was something bigger than that.
The first few days, I only had one friend, the one who convinced me to join in the first place, Michael. He’s the type to be bouncing off the walls at all times and although he may not be the best at studying, he’ll always have your back, inside AcDec and out. A week later, I made another friend, Vianney, one of the calmest, most level-headed people I know. She’s prepared for anything and is always there to help those in need. Then I got closer to Annabel, admittedly one of the coolest people I’ve ever met, I strive to walk with her confidence. And Natalie, Natalie has the best sense of humor, she can make you laugh even after a rough day. Lily too, she’s so kind and is always there if you want to talk to someone. Evelyn has a poetic way of being, the way she speaks and carries herself is so peaceful, and her whole aura is a safe space. Liya and Meztli are some of the best artists I know, they’re quiet at first but you can get a whole discussion out of them if you talk about something they love. Hassel is so sweet and is a breath of fresh air, she’s truly one of my biggest style inspirations, and whatever conversation you’re having with her she’s always willing to listen. Of course, I’d say Kendall is one of the most passionate people in AcDec, everything she says she says with enthusiasm and positivity, and just seeing her study makes me love AcDec even more. Then, Evan, Evan is one of the most genuine people I know, he’s candid, and he will help whenever he can. He’s the president of Academic Decathlon this year, and this year will be his final year at Westwood. He’s the heart of Academic Decathlon, or maybe the brain. Always there to pick us back up, jumping through every hurdle we give him and laughing at our dumb jokes. I’m grateful to be part of AcDec at the same time as him. The true heart of AcDec is Madame Knighton, with her motherly presence and the way she takes care of us. Her love radiates throughout the classroom and without her many of us wouldn’t have even considered AcDec.
The truth about Academic Decathlon is that it’s not only a cool class you get to put on your college application or an easy weighted credit to add to your transcript; it’s a team. A group of friends bonded by learning the same information and waking up at six am on the weekends to get tested on it. The relationships I have built this year are irreplaceable, and I wouldn’t give up my year with AcDec for anything, not even for those hours of sleep I missed studying. AcDec is a family.
