Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies won the Los Angeles Unified School District’s 43rd Academic Decathlon on Saturday, Feb. 24.
In an auditorium packed with students bouncing about with nerves and excitement, along with their proud parents and coaches, the team received the Superintendent’s Trophy — presented, aptly, by LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho himself.
Scoring 40,392.4 points out of a possible 60,000 points, Sherman Oaks Center of Enriched Studies took home first place — for the second consecutive year.
Related Articles
Former students allege human labor trafficking at Olivet University in Anza
Got a SAVE student loan forgiveness email? Here’s what comes next
William S. Hart Union High School District votes to lay off about 80 — including teachers, counselors
LA’s Holy Spirit STEM Academy breaks ground for new building
State universities admit more out-of-state students for the tuition bump
The school snagged top honors thanks to students Eva Karamanoukian, Jaylen Patel, Jericho Milrad, Kavidu De Silva, Luke Bula, Luke Leung, Nathan Ark, Rose Ortiz and Sarah Kovalev, as well as coach Suzanna Gordon.
“These students inspire me every day to really bring it and be the best person I can be and the best educator I can be,” Gordon said. “It’s just inspiring to work with young people who will apply themselves to a task that is daunting.”
Forty-five LAUSD high schools sent nearly 700 students to compete in this year’s academic decathlon, representing nearly every corner of the district, from Sylmar to Westlake. LAUSD is the nation’s second-largest school district.
The awards ceremony was held at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles.
Carvalho, who presented the winner’s trophy to Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, said: “Let me express to all of you academic decathletes my sincere appreciation for your determination, your superior intellect and your presence, not only here today, but in your schools, where you serve as an inspiration to other students.”
The 2023-24 school year’s academic decathlon tested students’ knowledge of the theme “Technology and Humanity.” Decathletes spent nights, weekends, lunchtimes and free time preparing for a year in 10 subject areas, including art, economics, science and math.
Throughout the year, each school’s teams competed in several events including an interview round, a speech round and Super Quiz, a live trivia event. Super Quiz was held on Feb. 3 at Edward R. Roybal Learning Center, with Verdugo Hills High School, Garfield High School and Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies winning in a three-way tie. Bell High School and Maywood Center for Enriched Studies tied for second in Super Quiz and Science Academy STEM Magnet placed third.
Academic decathlon was founded in 1968 and became a nationwide competition in 1981. LAUSD’s academic decathlon program, co-run by Beyond the Bell, has a long history of achievement, with 23 state titles and 19 national championships.
“Just participating means you spent endless hours preparing,” LAUSD Board President Jackie Goldberg said in an address to the students. “You have spent the time and energy and you will never forget these things. They enrich your life.”
Per academic decathlon policies, each group of nine students was split into three divisions, based on Grade Point Average: Varsity (3.199 GPA and below), Scholastic (3.2 to 3.799 GPA) and Honors (3.8 GPA and above).
“Our teams are a very good representation of the diversity and culture and different experiences that we have at our LAUSD schools,” LAUSD academic decathlon coordinator Neena Agnihotri said. “Students of all GPA levels can participate and it’s a very unique program.”
Along with the winning teams, several individual honors and scholarships of up to $1,500 were awarded. To the sound of erupting applause, student honorees walked up to the stage with excited jumps and teary eyes.
Airin Avenesian of Verdugo High School reacts after receiving one of several medals at the 43rd annual Academic Decathlon Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
“This is game time,” LAUSD Chief Academic Officer Frances Baez said. “This is when we get to show the best and brightest of LAUSD. Being here shows your stamina and your love of learning.”
Airin Avanesian, an 11th grade student at Verdugo Hills High, received the Super Decathlete award for the highest individual score in the district.
“I spent the whole week manifesting it,” Avanesian said. “There are so many schools with amazing decathletes, so it was a lot of competition. I worked hard for this for three years.”
Mathew Cortez from James A. Garfield High School, finished second and Sarah Kovalev from Sherman Oaks CES was third.
Daniel Badiak of John Marshall High School accepts the Coach of the Year award at the 43rd annual Academic Decathlon Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Daniel Badiak, an English teacher at John Marshall High School in Los Feliz, received the Coach of the Year award.
“All I try to teach them is to be nice, to have fun,” Badiak said. “If we win we win, if we don’t we don’t, but I hope we’re known as the kindest team. I hope we’re the most supportive team.”
Administrator of the Year honors went to Gabriel Duran, the principal at MaCES Magnet.
Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, along with six other high-scoring LAUSD teams will now advance to the state-level competition, which will be held in Santa Clara, March 21-24.
Also advancing:
–Verdugo Hills High;
–Garfield High;
–Science Academy STEM Magnet;
–Bell High;
–Maywood Center for Enriched Studies; and
–Van Nuys High.
In all, LAUSD schools have snared 23 state Academic Decathlon championships – more than any district in the state – as well as 19 national crowns.
Earlier this month, Alhambra High School snagged the top prize in the Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon, held separately from the LAUSD competition. Sixty-three teams, comprised of more than 460 students, competed. The top five schools — including El Rancho High School, Pico Rivera; West High School, Torrance; Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Rolling Hills Estates; and North High School, Torrance — advanced to state competition, as well as Beverly Hills High, Redondo Union High and South High of Torrance.
“It feels pretty unreal,” Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies student Jaylen Patel said amid Saturdays LAUSD event. “I felt my heart racing while I sat there waiting, but it’s so special to see it pay off.”
Related Articles
Former students allege human labor trafficking at Olivet University in Anza
Got a SAVE student loan forgiveness email? Here’s what comes next
William S. Hart Union High School District votes to lay off about 80 — including teachers, counselors
LA’s Holy Spirit STEM Academy breaks ground for new building
State universities admit more out-of-state students for the tuition bump