CONTACT: Monica Carazo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 25, 2023
Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies Wins
42nd Annual LAUSD Academic Decathlon
Next Stop is the State Competition
Los Angeles, CA – Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies (SOCES) was presented with the Superintendent’s Trophy for winning the 42nd Annual Los Angeles Unified School District Academic Decathlon with 37,165.2 out of 60,000 points. Decathletes representing SOCES are Nathan Ark, Khusanjon Bobokhojaev, Cristian Claiborne, Galgamuge De Silva, Eva Karamanoukian, Sara Kovalev-Sheinberg, David Olvera, Barbara Ortiz and Jaylen Patel. Van Nuys High School earned second-place honors with 36,545.8 points. Los Angeles Unified holds 23 state titles – more than any district in California – and 19 national titles.
“Congratulations, Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies decathletes for winning the 42nd Annual Los Angeles Unified School District Academic Decathlon,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “Since August 2022, our students have dedicated countless hours before and after school to prepare for this competition. Their perseverance and passion for academic achievement is inspiring. Thank you to every single coach, family member, employee and friend who supported our decathletes along the way. Good luck in the state championship.”
The winners were surrounded by hundreds of other decathletes from 50 high schools, parents, friends, teachers and principals at Los Angeles Mission College. Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson, Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas, Board Member Nick Melvoin, Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Dr. Karla V. Estrada and regional superintendents Dr. David Baca, Dr. Denise Collier and Jose P. Huerta also joined in the celebration.
“A victory in a competition that requires extensive knowledge of topics that range from art to science is a momentous achievement,” Board President Jackie Goldberg said. “We wish the winners from Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies the best of luck representing the district in the statewide competition. Bring that trophy back home to Los Angeles!”
“I am so proud of the Academic Decathlon team at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies for placing 1st in this year's Super Quiz on The American Revolution and the New Nation,” Board Vice President Schmerelson said. “Many other LAUSD teams placed very well, I send congratulations to all of them!”
“Congratulations to the winning SOCES Academic Decathlon team,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “I know you will be stellar representatives of your peers and the District at the statewide competition.”
“Congratulations to Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies on their LAUSD Decathlon win,” Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said. “This victory speaks not only to the hard work and dedication of the students representing SOCES, but also to the parents, teachers and staff who support rigorous academic pursuits and active participation. Kudos also to Van Nuys High School for their second-place honors – what an incredible showing!”
"Congratulations to our talented decathletes on this exciting victory,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “I’m proud to represent this talented team and the entire SOCES school community, and look forward to cheering them on as they advance to the State championship!”
“Congratulations to Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies for winning LAUSD’s 42nd Annual Academic Decathlon and to Van Nuys High School for earning second-place honors,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “We are so proud of our students and our supporting educators and wish them the best as they look ahead to the state competition!”
“Congratulations to all our decathletes for their participation in the LA Unified 42nd Annual Academic Decathlon and an extra special congratulations to the team from Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies for winning this year,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “This is an incredible accomplishment, bringing a huge sense of pride to your families, your school, district and yourself!”
Rounding out the top five spots were Verdugo Hills High School with 36,215.3 points, Bell High School with 35,958.6 points, James A. Garfield High School with 34,235.9 points and John Marshall High School with 33,766.5 points. SOCES and these five top-scoring district schools were invited to compete in the California Academic Decathlon events scheduled for Mar. 24-26 in Santa Clara, CA.
"It has been three years since our last in-person Academic Decathlon competition, due to the pandemic,” Academic Decathlon Regional Coordinator Dr. Neena Agnihotri said. “Our coaches worked extremely hard to recruit teams this year, with students who were ready to face the learning challenges that Decathlon involves. Every decathlete wins from the experience and knowledge gained from this competition.”
The top students who earned the highest scores and who were honored with scholarships, individual medals and trophies for academic achievement are:
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David Olvera from SOCES, who took home the Super Decathlete trophy for the overall highest scoring student with a grade-point average of 3.8 and above and a total of 8,588.2 out of 10,000 points.
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Momoko Nakazawa from John Marshall High School, who was honored as the overall second highest-scoring student with a grade-point average of 3.8 and above and a total of 7,851.3 points.
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Mathias Kuchimpos from Van Nuys High School, who was recognized as the overall third highest-scoring student with a grade-point average of 3.8 and above and 7,802.5 points.
The Coach of the Year is Suzanna Gordon, an English teacher and former student at SOCES. The Decathlon, made up of 10 separate competitions, was centered on The American Revolution and the New Nation.
For the most up-to-date information, please follow Los Angeles Unified on Twitter at @laschools and @lausdsup, Instagram at @laschools and @lausdsup and Facebook at @laschools and @AlbertoMCarvalho1.