Elite Scholars Academy (ESA), a magnet school in Clayton County, Georgia, has won the state championship in the PAGE Georgia Academic Decathlon for the fourth year in a row. The team of nine students competed against 15 other schools from across the state in a rigorous 10-event contest that tested their knowledge and skills in various subjects.
What is the PAGE Georgia Academic Decathlon?
The PAGE Georgia Academic Decathlon (GAD) is a program of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Foundation, which aims to promote academic excellence and student achievement in Georgia public schools. The GAD is an affiliate of the United States Academic Decathlon (USAD), the nation’s premier scholastic competition for high school students.
The GAD challenges students to excel in 10 events: art, economics, essay, interview, language and literature, mathematics, music, science, social science, and speech. Each year, the events are based on a different theme. The theme for the 2023-2024 academic year was “The Cold War”.
The GAD consists of three levels of competition: regional, state, and national. The regional competitions are held in January, the state competition is held in February, and the national competition is held in April. The state champion team represents Georgia at the national level.
How did ESA win the state championship?
ESA won the state championship by scoring a total of 46,271.9 points out of a possible 60,000 points. The team also won 35 individual medals, including 13 gold, 12 silver, and 10 bronze. The team members are:
- Honors Division: Anjali Patel, Aryan Patel, and Jada Williams
- Scholastic Division: Joshua Brown, Nia Johnson, and Jalen Smith
- Varsity Division: Kayla Jones, Kevin Nguyen, and Elijah Thomas
The team was coached by Dr. Monica Alicea, the magnet coordinator and social studies teacher at ESA. Dr. Alicea has been coaching the ESA academic decathlon team since 2019, and has led them to four consecutive state titles and two top-10 finishes at the national level.
Dr. Alicea said that she was very proud of her team and their hard work. “They have shown dedication, resilience, and passion for learning throughout this challenging year. They have also demonstrated teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship in every competition. They are truly elite scholars and role models for their peers and community,” she said.
What are the benefits of participating in the academic decathlon?
According to the GAD website, participating in the academic decathlon provides students with many benefits, such as:
- Enhancing their academic skills and knowledge in various subjects
- Developing their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Increasing their confidence, self-esteem, and motivation
- Expanding their cultural awareness and appreciation of diversity
- Fostering their teamwork, collaboration, and interpersonal skills
- Preparing them for college and career readiness
- Providing them with opportunities for scholarships, awards, and recognition
The GAD also benefits the teachers, schools, and communities that support the students. Teachers gain professional development and networking opportunities, schools improve their academic reputation and performance, and communities celebrate their achievements and contributions.
What are the next steps for ESA?
ESA will represent Georgia at the national competition, which will be held online from April 22 to April 24, 2024. The team will compete against more than 40 other state champion teams from across the country for the national title and scholarships. The national theme for the 2024-2025 academic year is “Water: A Most Essential Resource”.
ESA is also seeking sponsors and donors to help fund their trip to the national competition. Anyone who is interested in supporting the team can contact Dr. Alicea at monica.alicea@clayton.k12.ga.us or visit the ESA website at https://www.clayton.k12.ga.us/schools/esa.
ESA principal Dr. Tiffany Brown said that she was very excited for the team and their opportunity to compete at the national level. “They have worked so hard and achieved so much. They are not only representing ESA, but also Clayton County and the state of Georgia. They are an inspiration to us all, and we wish them the best of luck,” she said.
