TOWAMENCIN- With the goal of advancing to the national competition in Madison, Wisconsin, the NPHS Academic Decathlon team, comprised of nine students, has spent an ample amount of time preparing for the state competition, which will be hosted at NPHS on Friday and Saturday. Because only one winning team from each state earns a spot at nationals, the team must perform their best to secure their chances of representing not only NPHS, but also Pennsylvania.

During the competition, the fifteen teams from around the state will be tested on their performance in ten subjects, seven of which are objective and three subjective, that relate to this year’s theme: World War II. With team registration starting at noon on Friday, the teams will spend about five hours competing in various subjects. The following morning, teams will check in at 9:30am and proceed with the competition, which will end with an awards ceremony.

NPHS teacher and Academic Decathlon Coach, Mrs. Nancy Craig, explained that team, which includes Yang Yue, Connie Jiang, Brittany Wylie, John Bogert, Matt Orefice, Alex Goldberg, Justin Orefice, Nathaniel Maier and Dan Sibel, has been preparing September to earn a spot at the state competition.

“Students began competing for the nine positions in September and scrimmages were held with other teams in October, November and December,” stated Craig. “On February 4, NP won the Eastern regional competition, which qualified our team for the state competition. All team members must compete in all ten events- math, science, literature, essay, art, music, social science, speech, interview and economics.”

In addition to meeting typically on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Connie Jiang, a sophomore and member of the Academic Decathlon at NPHS, explained that the team has received support from fellow staff members to prepare. For example, Mr. Kevin Manero aided the team in practicing their speeches, Mr. Maurer in economics, and Ms. Kavalow-Huie with interview.

Outside of the meetings, Jiang explained the team is expected to continue reading and studying the material provided in informational packets.

“Sometimes we’ll have Saturday meetings or Skype sessions to read packets and discuss questions and quiz each other,” stated Jiang.

Such intense dedication to preparing for competitions explains why Craig feels a great sense of pride in her team.

“As coach, I recognize the study time and effort the team puts in to mastering the volumes of materials,” said Craig. “Knowing they are putting forth their best effort and watching the team work together makes me proud to be their coach no matter the outcome.  As NP was state champions in 2013, 2014, and 2015, winning again this year would be awesome!”

Craig also thanked Mr. Todd Bauer, NPHS Principal, for allowing the building to host the entire state competition, and Jiang added that the team’s shirts state, “Protect this house,” due to the fact they will be on NP territory.

Despite being nervous and stressed out for the competition, Jiang explained that she is excited to be with her team, which proves to have a special bond.

“You get the feeling [like] I’m not alone in this. We all want the same thing: to get to nationals,” stated Jiang.

Adding that the team’s diversity and wide range of interests resonate with her love of the team, Jiang explained that she hasn’t encountered such a unique bond in any other place.

“There’s a bond in AcaDec, a team bond, that I haven’t felt anywhere else,” stated Jiang. “It’s got those fragile moments, but you bounce back. Dan Sibel in his speech last year said ‘What makes a team, a real team, are the bonds forged in its toughest hours,’ and that’s so true.”