| | Published March 26th, 2014
| Campo Finishes on Top at California State Academic Decathlon
| | By Jennifer Wake |  | | Campolindo High School Red Team with Coach Paul Verbanszky Photo provided |
The Campolindo High School Red Team, after winning the 2014 East County Region Academic Decathlon for the fourth year in a row, represented Contra Costa County at the California State Academic Decathlon last weekend and placed in the top 10 overall, winning the title of medium-sized school state champions to represent California at the national competition.
Directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education and with the assistance of community volunteers, the county's Academic Decathlon provides an opportunity for high school students to compete as individuals and teams in a series of 10 academic tests and demonstrations. The curriculum includes art, economics, language and literature, mathematics, music, science, essay, interview, speech (prepared and impromptu), and the Super Quiz. Approximately 170 participating high school students have been studying and preparing for this event with their coaches since September.
"Uma Gaffney received a perfect score in the art competition and received a gold medal!" said Paul Verbanszky, proud Aca Deca coach and Campolindo teacher. "Marina Han received a silver in language and literature and a silver in essay. Tristan Caro and Christoph Steefel each received a bronze in science, while Sarada Symonds received a silver in art and gold in language and literature. Vikram Bhaduri received a bronze in interview."
Acalanes High School was invited to join the state competition this year as an at-large team in Division 2, "so two Lamorinda schools were representing Contra Costa County," Verbanszky said. Acalanes placed 22nd at the state competition with Daylon Srinivasan, Iris Wang, and Karen Ma each taking home individual awards.
Acalanes High School placed (a very close) second at the regional competition, and the Campolindo Blue team, third.
"Four years ago was the first time Campo made it to state in almost a decade and we ranked toward the bottom of 65 teams. The following year we gained more success and moved up a bit. Then last year we started bottom third (40 something) and not only received most improved team (ending at 26 in the state) but also won the medium-sized school championship," said Verbanszky. "This allowed us to go to nationals where we won nationals. There is a huge banner in our gym and the Moraga Town Council honored us with a proclamation last May."
High school teams are made up of nine students, grades 9-12, with a maximum of three students in each of the following divisions: Honors (3.75-4.00 GPA), Scholastic (3.00-3.74 GPA) and Varsity (2.99 GPA and below). "It makes for an amazing mix of students because they are not all 4.0 students and bring various skill sets to the team," said Verbanszky.
"Almost all the members on the [Campolindo Red] team have been part of the 'glory years' of Aca Deca since freshmen year and are, unfortunately, graduating," he added. Zach Scherer (class of 2014) has been at state four times now. Tristan Caro (class of 14) and Uma Gaffney (class of 2016) have done an exceptional job as captains. Other members include Vikram Bhaduri, Christoph Steefel, Sarada Symmonds, Marina Han, Graham Wade, and Samuel MacAdam.
"I am honored to coach these fine young scholars, who have worked with me countless hours outside of the regular school schedule and have dedicated so much energy to represent Campolindo, Contra Costa, and Nor Cal well at this competition," Verbanszky said. "The Campolindo community is incredibly supportive ... In a time when funding to education is cut, it is great to see how a community comes together to support programs such as this one. I know that I would not be able to have such a successful after school club and compete with Los Angeles schools that have it as a class without the generous support."
The Academic Decathlon national championships will be held April 24-26 in Hawaii. The Campolindo Red Team will compete online. For information, visit www.academicdecathlon.org.
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 | | Acalanes High School team Photo Diane Morrell | | | | | | | | | |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA