LOS ANGELES – On Saturday, March 10, 2012, 101 Catholic elementary schools from throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will meet at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum & Sports Arena for an academic event that parallels the athletic competition prevalent in schools. Over 1,000 top students in grades 6-8 will be participating in this spirit-filled competition. Jo Solomonson, former principal at St. Stephen Martyr School in Monterey Park, serves as the Chairperson for the Academic Decathlon.
The Catholic Schools Academic Decathlon was founded in September, 1989 by Dr. Mark Ryan who was then a junior high teacher at St. Aloysius School in south-central Los Angeles. What began as a tiny competition involving Catholic junior high students from the greater Los Angeles area has grown to become a statewide event involving Catholic junior high students from across the United States.
The Decathlon is an academic competition for students in grades 6-8. There are ten events: two collaborative team efforts- a logic quiz with 20 rigorous thinking problems, and a super quiz with 50 multiple choice questions on five broad themes. The remaining eight events test individual knowledge of the Roman Catholic doctrine, English, Literature, Science, Mathematics, Current Events, Social Studies, and Fine Arts (Music and Art). Awards are given for individual and team performance, and the winning school team from each geographic diocese competes in a state championship the first Saturday of May.
The annual Academic Decathlon draws a crowd of 6,000 students, parents and supporters. It is supported by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Catholic Schools and a team of dedicated team of volunteers most of whom are Catholic elementary school principals. The committee members headed by Mrs. Solomonson include: Cherie Hunt, Principal, Our Lady of Guadalupe/Hermosa Beach, Tina Kipp, Principal, Cathedral Chapel School/ Los Angeles, Neil Quinly, St.Monica School/Santa Monica, Christina Fernandez-Caso, Principal, St. Teresa of Avila/Los Angeles, Mary Blair, Principal, St. Euphrasia/ Granada Hills, Bob Pawlak, Principal, St. Bridget of Sweden/ Lake Balboa, Carolyn Strong, Principal, Holy Family School/ South Pasadena, Patty Hager, Principal, Our Lady of Lourdes/Northridge, Olivia Carrillo, Principal, Incarnation/ Glendale, Teresa Asuncion, Admissions/LMU, Bruce Howard, former parent, Incarnation/Glendale, and Maria Ibarra, Office of the Deacons/Assistance Ministry, Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
“Our goal is to continue to uphold the vision of Dr. Ryan, Mrs. Solomonson states.”The strength of the Decathlon lies with committed and hard-working education practitioners who believe in high performing schools. Students exposed to academic competitions tend to do better in school. They are the reflective and critical thinkers, the problem solvers and future innovators and most of all, they are more aware of the needs of others.”
The Decathlon promotes academic preeminence and educational values at parochial schools, as well as cooperative spirit and learning skills, logical and higher-order thinking and teamwork. It celebrates the diversity, excellence and tradition of California schools both in the inner city as well as the suburbs. Moreover, it recognizes the contribution of parents, teachers, school administrators, business and community members in supporting high standards for all students.
This year’s Academic Decathlon concludes with a liturgy to be celebrated by Reverend David Loftus, Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Northridge. The National Anthem will be rendered by St. Monica High School/Santa Monica. The Heart of Jesus Ministry, headed by Art Saranglao, will lead the liturgical songs. Councilman Tom LaBonge of Los Angeles will present a certificate of recognition to AJHD at the opening ceremonies. Last year’s winning team and holder of the perpetual trophy, Notre Dame Academy/ Los Angeles, will lead AJHD 2012. This year’s Super Quiz readers are: Dr. Kevin Baxter, Superintendent of Elementary Schools, Ms Carmen Vadillo, Regional Supervisor, Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Sylvia Armas-Abad, Field Consultant, Los Angeles Alliance for Catholic Education, Catholic School Advantage Campaign.
For more information, please contact Jo Solomonson at (626) 627-6672 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit https://academicdecathlon.wikispaces.com.
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