SCARBOROUGH – The Academic Decathlon team from Scarborough High School won its 10th state title in a row this past weekend. The team consists of nine students, who are now eagerly looking forward to attending the national competition in Honolulu, Hawaii, in April.

To get there, though, the team needs to raise $15,000. To help out, go online to http://www.youcaring.com/other/help-shs-academic-decathlon-team-get-to-nationals-/107925.

Decathlon team leader Shane Davis said he’s “very proud” of the team’s accomplishments and added “success breeds success.” The other team leader is Jon York.

Davis said what’s so special about Academic Decathlon is that it brings together students from every social and interest group at the high school, who get the chance to “participate in something that really allows them to go far beyond (the normal) curricular offerings.”

On the team’s fundraising page, York added, “I’ve coached this activity for almost a decade, and I can tell you that this year’s team is incredibly special. I’ve literally never seen students work this hard – they are hungry, and they don’t just want to go to nationals this year, they want to place, and to come home with medals.”

And, he said, “These decathletes (from Scarborough) are determined to represent our state and to exceed our greatest expectations. They have been working their hardest to study and prepare for the competition. Now it’s our turn, as community members and supporters of education and our nation’s youth, to help fund these diligent young scholars.”

According to the national Academic Decathlon website, the activity is “a team-based academic competition that spans the disciplines – from art, music, social studies, and language arts, to math, science, and economics.”

Participating students study an array of topics in seven subjects organized around a common theme, which this year is World War I.

York said the students from Scarborough “have been pouring over literature from a diverse selection of authors including Hemingway and T.S. Eliot, examining pieces of music composed during the time period, discovering how advanced micro and macroeconomics concepts can be applied to enrich their understanding of Germany’s build-up to global conflict and so much more.”

The overall core values of Academic Decathlon include academic growth, multidisciplinary learning, teamwork, the importance of inclusivity and diversity and respect for diverse points of view, among others.

– Kate Irish Collins

The Academic Decathlon team at Scarborough High School is set to compete on the national stage in Hawaii in April. In back, from left, are Shane Davis, Sadie Tirrell, Beatrice Brauer, Andrew Morrissey, Alex Cleary, Isabelle DiBiase, Laura Henny, Melissa Ertman and Jon York. In front are David Flewelling, Alec Leng and Mason Roach.