This year’s Academic Decathlon’s theme was World War I and challenged students in 10 events: art, music, science, social science, math, language and literature, economics, essay, speech, and interview. In addition to these 10 events, the competition’s culminating event was the Super Quiz, a fast paced, high-pressure event that tests team members on all subjects at once. Pilibos won second place in the Super Quiz competition, proving once again the level of commitment of the participating students.
The Southern California Private School Academic Decathlon is divided into four divisions. Pilibos’ division, Division 4, this year consisted of thirteen schools: Rose and Alex Pilibos, Cantwell Sacred Heart, Mary Star of the Sea, Notre Dame Academy, Providence High School, Paraclete High School, Cathedral High School, Bellarmine-Jefferson High School, Stearns Math and Science, Holy Family High School, Magnolia High School, Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School, and Whittier Christian High School. “We are very proud of our students to have placed third among these competitive schools!” said a statement from the Pilibos School administration. “In fact, Pilibos has ranked in the top three 13 out of the last 18 years we have participated in this competition.”
The Pilibos team this year was composed of 9 students. The school’s honors students were Preny Ayvazian (12th grade), Mariam Geysimonyan (12th grade), and Ani Tankazyan (12th grade). Preny and Ani won team medals in Super Quiz and overall third place. Mariam won a gold medal in speech, a silver medal in economics, and a bronze medal in language and literature in addition to the two team medals.
The school’s scholastic students were Maria Discigrikyan (10th grade), Garo Ezadjian (10th grade), and Maria Goulumian (12th grade). Maria Discigrikyan won team medals in Super Quiz and overall third place. Maria Goulumian won a bronze medal in art in addition to the two team medals. Garo won a bronze medal in math and a bronze medal in social science as well as the two team medals.
Pilibos’ varsity students were Nicholas Antonyan (11th grade), Anoush Karapetyan (10th grade), and Monique Sudzhyan (10th grade). Anoush won team medals in Super Quiz and third place overall. Monique won a gold medal in music and a bronze medal in speech in addition to the two team medals. Nicholas won a gold medal in social science and a silver medal in math as well as the two team medals.
The Principal, Dr. Alina Dorian, said, “The Academic Decathlon teams of Pilibos have proven year after year their commitment, work ethic, and passion for excellence. I am very proud of our team and their accomplishments.”
