Dallas ISD students attend Academic Decathlon state finals, bring home $7,500 in scholarship money

At the Academic Decathlon state finals, decathletes from four Dallas ISD high schools were the recipients of $7,500 in scholarships and winners of 48 individual awards, including 19 gold medals.

Decathletes are interviewed, deliver speeches, write essays, and take exams in art, economics, literature, math, music, science, and social science, said Shenita Jones, coordinator of the Student Activities Department.

“The Academic Decathlon is about mastering college-level material,” Jones said. “It is a competition where students not only learn to navigate a variety of academic challenges, but to navigate teamwork and leadership as well.”

By earning top scores at the Regional Academic Decathlon competition, teams from TAG, Science and Engineering, Business, and Lassiter Early College qualified to compete at the State Finals held February 25-27 concurrently in Frisco and San Antonio. They were among 80 schools competing for state champion and individual awards.

At the state competition, TAG placed fourth in their division and received $6,000 in scholarships, while also winning 30 individual awards. The School of Business brought home $1,500 in scholarships. Science and Engineering snagged seven awards and Lassiter won 11 individual medals.

The 2021-2022 National Academic Decathlon theme was Water: A Most Essential Resource. Sponsored by the United States Academic Decathlon, the program is designed to include students from all academic backgrounds.

Dallas ISD decathletes will begin preparation for next year’s decathlon theme, The American Revolution and the New Nation at summer camps held throughout the month of June at various campuses, hosted by Dallas ISD’s Student Activities Department.