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Feb. 24, 2024
Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies Wins the Los Angeles Unified Academic Decathlon for the Second Consecutive Year
Los Angeles, CA – Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies (SOCES) was presented with the Superintendent’s Trophy for a second consecutive year for winning the 43rd Annual Los Angeles Unified School District Academic Decathlon with 40,392.4 out of 60,000 points. Decathletes representing SOCES are Eva Karamanoukian, Rose Ortiz, Jaylen Patel, Jericho Milrad, Kavidu De Silva, Luke Bula, Nathan Ark, Luke Leung, and Sarah Kovalev. Decathlon Coach Suzanna Gordon and Principal Susan Parker were honored with the LAUSD Decathlon Hall of Fame Plaque. Los Angeles Unified holds 23 state titles – more than any district in California – and 19 national titles.
“For a second year in a row, the Sherman Oaks Studies for Enriched Sciences Academic Decathlon team represents the full potential of what our young scholars can achieve in the classroom and beyond,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “We know our Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies students will continue to soar in Santa Clara at the California Academic Decathlon in March. I am also extremely proud of all schools who participated in this year’s competition and so grateful to every coach, family member, employee and friend who supported our decathletes along the way.”
The winners were surrounded by hundreds of decathletes from 45 high schools, family, friends, teachers and principals for the event at James A. Garfield High School. Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, Board President Jackie Goldberg, Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson, Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas, Chief Academic Officer Dr. Frances Baez and Region East Superintendent Jose P. Huerta also joined in the celebration.
Rounding out the top six spots were Verdugo Hills High School with 39,712.1 points, Bell High School with 38,977.1 points, Van Nuys High School with 38,113 points, The Science Academy STEM Magnet with 37,878 points, James A. Garfield High School with 37,749.4 points, and John Marshall High School with 37,656.3 points. SOCES and these six top-scoring district schools are now invited to compete in the California Academic Decathlon events scheduled for March 21-24, 2024 in Santa Clara, CA.
“The Academic Decathlon is one of my favorite school traditions,” Board President Jackie Goldberg said. “Congratulations to Bell High School in Board District 5 and their coaches Heather Wilson and Matthew Moreno for rounding out one of the top six spots this year! I am very proud of all of the students across the district who participated in this inspiring event. Thank you for all of your dedication and hard work.”
“It is such a delight to see that Los Angeles Unified will be proudly represented at the California Academic Decathlon in Santa Clara,” Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “I know the students of Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies are more than capable of representing Los Angeles Unified. I also want to give a special shoutout to Van Nuys High School’s academic decathlon team for achieving a spot on the top seven teams with the highest points. You have also made Board District 3 very proud.”
“Congratulations to the SOCES Academic Decathlon team for winning the 43rd Annual LAUSD Academic Decathlon,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “Board District 1 wishes you the best of luck as you represent LAUSD at the California Academic Decathlon competition.”
“We are so proud of our students and our schools, demonstrating once again that academic excellence and free and fair public education go hand in hand,” Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said.
“Our students are amazing,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “Congratulations to all of our Academic Decathalon-ers and especially our SOCES students in Board District 4. Scholars like Eva, Rose, Jaylen, Jericho, Kavidu, Luke, Nathan, Luke, and Sarah give us hope that young people can analyze and solve the challenges facing us all, especially with support from educators like Ms. Gordan and Principal Parker. We wish them all the success at their upcoming State competition!”
“Congratulations to SOCES on winning the Academic Decathlon,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “Congratulations also to the top seven schools, including Verdugo High School and The Science Academy STEM Magnet in Board District 6, for advancing to the California Decathlon competition. Your success is a reflection of your hard work and persistence, and we are excited to see what you accomplish next.”
“Congratulations to all our decathletes for their participation in the Los Angeles Unified 43rd Annual Academic Decathlon and a special congratulations to the team from Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies for advancing to the State Competition,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “To all our scholars who competed, this is an amazing accomplishment, bringing a huge sense of pride to your families, your school, district, and yourself!”
“Our Decathletes continue to amaze us with their intellectual pursuits and incredible effort, guided by our Decathlon coaches,” Academic Decathlon Regional Coordinator Dr. Neena Agnihotri said. “This exciting program focuses on building teamwork and increasing academic prowess in our students. Teams are a reflection of the diversity and culture of our student population and our schools. Congratulations to our Regional competition winners!”
Many students were honored with scholarships, individual medals, and trophies for academic achievements. The top students who earned the highest scores district-wide include:
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Airin Avanesian from Verdugo Hills High School, who took home the Super Decathlete trophy for the overall highest scoring student with 8,228.2 out of 10,000 points.
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Mathew Cortez from James A. Garfield High School, who was honored as the overall second highest-scoring student with a 8,216.3 out of 10,000 points.
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Sarah Kovalev from Sherman Oaks CES, who was recognized as the overall third highest-scoring student with a 7,895.7 out of 10,000 points.
The Coach of the Year was awarded to Daniel Badiak, an English teacher at John Marshall High School. The Administrator of the Year was awarded to Gabriel Duran, Principal at MaCES Magnet. The Decathlon, made up of a 10 event competition, was centered on Technology and Humanity this year.
For the most up-to-date information, please follow Los Angeles Unified on Twitter/X at @laschools and @lausdsup, Instagram at @laschools and @lausdsup and Facebook at @laschools and @AlbertoMCarvalho1.