TCSOS Image
Angels Camp, CA — Students from Summerville and Bret Harte high schools scored high in the 46th annual Mother Lode Academic Decathlon.
It was organized by the Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Office and held on February 1 at Bret Harte High School.
TCSOS notes that the ten-event competition helps foster a love of learning, encourages academic competition, and strengthens students’ communication skills. Participants competed in tests covering art, economics, language and literature, music, science, mathematics, and social science. In addition, students were evaluated on an essay, an interview, and an impromptu speech. The theme of this year’s competition was “Our Changing Climate.”
Summerville claimed first place with a combined score of 32,160.86 points. Bret Harte finished just behind with 31,698.01 points—a difference of only 462.85 points, making this one of the closest contests in recent years. Both teams will advance to the California Academic Decathlon State Competition, March 20–23, 2025, in Santa Clara. The state champions will then qualify to compete at the United States Academic Decathlon National Finals, May 1–3, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa.
The local event was coordinated by Shannon Oden with the Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Office, with support from many others, including 45 community volunteers. Summerville was coached by Ken Ruckman and Bret Harte by Jennifer Truman.
Individual Event Winners (Alphabetical Order):
Final Team Rosters (Alphabetical Order):
Bret Harte High School:
Summerville High School:
Written by BJ Hansen.
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