Hilo to host state academic decathlon meet

Several teams from throughout the state of Hawaii will come together on Saturday and Sunday in Hilo, to compete for medals, bragging rights, and a chance to participate in the National Academic Decathlon competition.

The theme for this year’s competition is World War I. High school students from across the state will participate.

The competition consists of tests in art, music, literature, science, math, economics, and history, as well as events in speech, interview, and essay. Academic Decathlon is designed to include students from all achievement levels. Teams consist of nine members, who are divided into three divisions based on their current cumulative GPA. Each team member competes in all 10 events against other students in his or her division. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded for individual events as well scholarships for college.

This year, Waiakea High School will host the tournament for the second time. Their Key Club, led by Kari Sato, has volunteered to assist, and will prepare and serve the awards banquet on Sunday.

Each year, Hawaii Academic Decathlon asks for community assistance in the form of volunteers to judge the speech and interview competitions. Students will present prepared and impromptu speeches and complete interviews before a panel of judges. Approximate hours of service will be noon-4 p.m. Saturday at Waiakea High School. Training and lunch will be provided.

If you have speech, public speaking or interviewing skills, you are asked to consider volunteering as a judge at the Hawaii State Competition. However, this opportunity does not require specific speech or interviewing skills.

To volunteer, please contact Cindy Martisko, Hawaii state director, at cindy@usad.org or call (808) 964-5040.

For more information on United States Academic Decathlon, visit www.usad.org.