Cheers for the Academic Decathlon! The Academic Decathlon is a nationwide annual high school academic competition organized by the United States Academic Decathlon (USAD), challenging students to test their knowledge against other high schools in their state and possibly the country. The competition hopes to promote academic excellence, covering various subjects, including art, economics, math, science, literature, and more! North Atlanta High School’s Academic Decathlon team has been nothing if not successful throughout their history competing. The team has competed consistently well in the district and state levels of competition since its debut. Continuing their streak of success, North Atlanta’s team has qualified for the 2025 US Academic Decathlon in Des Moines, Iowa!
The supervisors, Dr. Deanna Hasty and Dr. Usha Patke, take charge of leading the team on its quest for academic excellence, coaching them through practice, and extending the team’s knowledge in preparation for competition. Academic Decathlons commonly have an annual theme, this year’s being “Our Changing Climate.” The purpose of the Academic Decathlon is to extend one’s knowledge on a particular topic as well as learn in a cooperative environment with team members, allowing students to build experiences working and participating in a team. Supervisors Hasty and Patke bring a supportive yet competitive aim to the team through their strong leadership. Their supervisors focus on letting the team make many decisions regarding their meetings, studying, and deadlines, which helps to keep the team responsible for themselves and also motivated. Although they focus a lot on academics and building the team’s success, they also want the students to enjoy the Academic Decathlon and want to partake in the team. Hasty, team supervisor, said, “I want them to have fun and enjoy the experience,” in regards to their success at qualifying for USAD nationals for the second year in a row.
Although their supervisors are superb, North Atlanta’s Academic Decathlon success could not be possible without the hard work and dedication of NAHS students. Students on the team find themselves participating in a variety of tests. Generally, several assessments are issued to teams all across America, in subjects ranging from the arts to math, to see where they stand among their peers, as well as determine their overall strengths. To advance, you and your team must make it to the Super Quiz, a quiz taken with your teammates based on your squad. Final scores from both the final exam and the Super Quiz are the determining factors to make it to the state competition. Not only did they qualify for state this year, but also USAD Nationals! The team has worked incredibly hard this season in improving their overall points scored and combining their talents to work as a team. For senior Reis Holzworth, the team’s success stems from “working hard together while also achieving personal goals and growth.”
NAHS Academic Decathlon allows students to further their knowledge and work collaboratively in competition, bringing growth and learning together for the students of NAHS. Looking ahead to the USAD Nationals and the upcoming 2025-26 season, the North Atlanta Academic Decathlon team is shaping up for a successful future.
