The
Academic Decathlon program promotes student achievement in public, private
and parochial high schools. Decathlon activities provide the opportunity
for students to realize the potential of their intellectual ability and to
appreciate value of academic pursuit. In Alaska, ninth through twelfth
grade students compete on teams composed of a combination of three Honor
“A”, three Scholastic “B”, and three Varsity “C” or lower
students.
The
Academic Decathlon, like its ancient Greek counterpart, consists of ten
events. Unlike the Greek Decathlon, however, this is an academic, rather
than an athletic competition and a team competition, as well as one for
individuals. In a typical Decathlon competition, ninth through twelfth
grade students are tested in seven areas: economics, fine arts, language
and literature, mathematics, science, social science and the Super Quiz.
In addition the students amass points in three communication events: the
prepared and impromptu speech event, the oral interview event, and the
essay-writing event. The Decathlon concludes with the Super Quiz, a team
relay in which teammates answer five questions read orally before an
audience.
By
encouraging students to compete for awards and recognition academically,
just as athletes do physically, the Decathlon provides an antidote to
intellectual apathy and under-achievement. The Academic Decathlon
recognizes the individual winners in each of its events. However, it is
the well-rounded team whose high combined scores for all 10 events will
bring them to the topmost ranks of the champions. This is the
Decathlon’s way of emphasizing a growth of knowledge in all academic
fields rather than a specialization in but one.
The
Decathlon program provides incentive not only for the brilliant student to
become interested in intellectual activities, but it opens the door to
academic achievement for all. It gives scholastics a similar public
recognition and status that has long been afforded to outstanding
athletes.
History and Background of the GCI Alaska Academic Decathlon
In
1981 Dr. Robert Peterson, of Orange County, California, responded to
interest in his local Academic Decathlon program and founded the United
States Academic Decathlon. In 1984 the program expanded to Alaska, and
in1994 the Alaska Academic Decathlon Association received a 501 (c) 3
tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service.
Nearly
a million young people nationwide and over 6,500 Alaskan students have
enriched their lives through participation in the Academic Decathlon
Program. Each year, $9,000 in scholarships are awarded to A, B,
and C students throughout Alaska by the GCI Alaska Academic Decathlon. An
additional $15,000 in scholarships are made available every year to
Decathletes who participate at the State level from UAF, UAA, and other
educational institutes. Individual medals and team awards are also
presented each year. The highest scoring Alaskan team is sent to the
National Competition.
Why Are We Called the GCI Alaska Academic Decathlon?
In 1996, for the
mutual benefit of both General Communications, Inc. (GCI) and Alaska
Academic Decathlon, it was agreed to allow GCI to become the Prime Sponsor
for the Alaska Academic Decathlon and all its associated events. In
exchange, GCI provides AAD with substantial cash donation and additional
support services in kind. It was agreed that AAD would use the GCI logo on
all publicity and printed materials and would become known as the GCI
Alaska Academic Decathlon. The Alaska Academic Decathlon remains a 501 (c)
3 non-profit organization as described by the IRS. GCI encourages other
sponsors to become involved.
