LITTLE ARMENIA—Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School announced that the school’s Academic Decathlon team won an impressive 32 MEDALS and placed third in its division at the Southern California Private School Academic Decathlon held on February 2. The event took place at Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills. The Academic Decathlon includes ten events: art, music, science, social science, math, language and literature, economics, essay, speech, and interview.
The Southern California Private School Academic Decathlon is divided into four divisions. Our division, Division IV, this year consisted of seven schools: Rose and Alex Pilibos, Cantwell Sacred Heart, Mary Star of the Sea, Notre Dame Academy, Providence High School, Junipero Serra High School, and Whittier Christian High School. We are very proud of our students to have placed third among these very competitive schools!
The Pilibos team was composed of 9 students. The Honors students were Nanor Kassabian (12th grade), Mariam Geysimonyan (11th grade), and Ani Tankazyan (11th grade). Nanor won a gold medal in Math, a silver medal in Interview, and bronze medals in Language, Literature, and Economics. Mariam won silver medals in Language, Literature, Math, and Economics. She also won a bronze medal in Music and an additional gold medal for being the top scorer on our team. Ani won a gold medal in Art and silver medals in Social Science and Speech.
The Scholastic students were Preny Ayvazian (11th grade), Armen Kazarians (12th grade), and Roupen Sarkissian (9th grade). Preny won bronze medals in Social Science and Art and won a silver medal in Economics. Armen won a gold medal in Social Science and a bronze medal in Music. Roupen won a bronze medal in Economics.
The Varsity students were Michael Srourian (12th grade), Anna Azizian (12th grade), and Arman Parsamyan (9th grade). Michael won a bronze medal in Music. Anna won a bronze medal in Math and a silver medal in Art. Arman won a gold medal in Music and a silver medal in Math.
Academic Decathlon has a profound effect on the students who participate in the competition. Here is what this year’s decathletes had to say about their experiences.
Decathlon participants reflect
Nanor Kassabian (12th Grade): This was my second year participating in Decathlon, and I am so glad that I got to be a part of the team again. Decathlon not only taught me a lot of general knowledge but also gave me the opportunity to be a part of a team with a great group of people.
Mariam Geysimonyan (11th Grade): Decathlon has opened my eyes to a world of possibilities. It has helped me understand the importance of balancing fun with work. Most importantly, because of Decathlon, I have formed friendships that I will forever treasure.
Ani Tankazyan (11th Grade): Decathlon is a wonderful competition which has taught me so much. Even though the material was tough, all the work was worth it in the end. I’m impatiently waiting for next year’s competition!
Armen Kazarians (12th Grade): Being in Decathlon as a first year member was a great experience. I learned a lot of new facts, but more than that I learned the value of collaboration and hard work. It was an awesome feeling winning medals in the subjects I thought I wouldn’t get medals in. It took a while to read everything, but it was worth it.
Preny Ayvazian (11th Grade): Being a part of the Decathlon team was one of the best experiences of my life. I learned about different aspects of Russia, but throughout the process I made friends with other students who I never would have had the opportunity to be friends with. Each of us proved to ourselves that we could do better than we ever thought we could!
Roupen Sarkissian (9th Grade): Joining the Decathlon team was one of the best experiences I’ve had so far in my 10 years of school. Even though there was a lot of material, we had fun learning.
Arman Parsamyan (10th Grade): The Decathlon was a whole new experience and I learned a lot throughout the process. Although I had a really tough few months, it all paid off in the end!
Michael Srourian (12th Grade): The past four months have been spent getting ready for Decathlon with an amazing group of people. Along the way we laughed, got to meet new people, and learned so much new information we know we won’t forget.
Anna Azizian (12th Grade): Decathlon may seem like extra work, but it is far more than that. If you put time and energy into your work you will achieve your goals. As a result of my time in Decathlon, I have formed a deeper bond with my teammates and coach that will last a life time.
Congratulations to our students,what an honor, here’s to all the parents who take their kids out of Armenian School and place them in private school, doubting us. Thank you to our teachers and to our amazing Principal.