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Students Shine in San Joaquin County Academic Pentathlon

Hundreds of 7th- and 8th-graders compete in academic contest

MANTECA – Students stomped their feet in the bleachers at the East Union High School Large Gymnasium as they cheered on their teammates during the Super Quiz, the final – and most raucous – event at the 2015 San Joaquin County Academic Pentathlon for seventh- and eighth-grade students held on Saturday, May 2. Earlier events were more subdued, with students inside classrooms taking math, science and other tests.

 Saturday’s competition saw 14 teams of seventh-graders and 19 teams of eighth-graders. In all, nearly 350 students from 15 schools across San Joaquin County competed.

 Competing in the Academic Pentathlon leaves a lasting impression on students, said Todd Foss, coach for Stockton Unified School District’s McKinley Elementary School. “I have 30-year-olds coming up to me talking about their experience,” he said.  “It’s all about belonging to something. It’s a team. They really bond together.”

 Teamwork is at the heart of the San Joaquin County Academic Pentathlon, which encourages and rewards academic excellence among students of all ability levels. It provides an environment conducive to learning, where individual leadership, cooperation and peer support are incorporated as motivators.

 “The kids learn how to study and have fun when they study,” said Jennifer Duren, coach at Rio Calaveras Elementary School, also in Stockton Unified School District.

 Organized by the San Joaquin County Office of Education, the Pentathlon covers five subject areas: essay, literature, science, math and social studies. Sixth-grade students will compete in the San Joaquin County Pentathlon on May 9 at Manteca High School in Manteca Unified School District.

 On May 2, family members waiting for their seventh- and eighth-graders gathered together, getting ready for the potlucks and picnics that would follow the competition. Parents from Discovery Charter School in Tracy Unified School District brought their own shade, where they sat as Pentathletes kicked a soccer ball around.

 Discovery Charter School parent Balbir Sian, said she was glad her seventh-grade daughter joined the pentathlon team. “They learn a lot and they feel good about themselves,” Sian said.

 The day ended with an awards ceremony, where both teams and individuals won a wide range of awards. The overall top-scoring teams are as follows:

Seventh Grade:

1st:       Rio Calaveras Elementary School – Gold Team, Stockton Unified School District

2nd:      Rio Calaveras Elementary School – Green Team, Stockton Unified School District

3rd:       Sebastian Questa Elementary School – Red Team, Lammersville Unified School District

 

Eighth Grade:

1st:       Rio Calaveras Elementary School – Gold Team, Stockton Unified School District

2nd:      Rio Calaveras Elementary School – Green Team, Stockton Unified School District

3rd:       McKinley Elementary School – Red Team, Stockton Unified School District

Posted: 5/5/2015