Posted on 25 May 2013 by La Habra Journal
By Jay Seidel
La Habra Journal
Imperial Middle School seventh and eighth grade students went to this year’s academic pentathlon competition and left with 109 medals, one of the top performances ever for the school.
The seventh grade Imperial Knights team took home the first place overall title in Division 2, where they competed against nine other schools.
The seventh grade Imperial Nobles followed suite and took home second place overall in Division 2.
The eighth grade Imperial Knights team claimed an impressive third place overall in Division 1.
“I am proud of all my teams. They work hard all year long and winning medals is their reward,” said Brenda Gomez, Imperial teacher and team coach.
Academic Pentathlon allows them to apply integrity and sportsmanship in team and individual exams.
The annual Academic Pentathlon is a five-event competition for sixth, seventh and eighth graders.
The program encourages and rewards academic excellence among students of all ability levels.
“Pentathlon is important to me because it gives me a chance to thrive outside of the classroom,” said Brandon Ryan, a pentathlete who took home a fifth-place overall medal. Ryan’s mother Megan added, “Pentathlon is important because it gives Brandon a chance to be challenged in something off the ball field, out of the classroom… and compete in something out of the ordinary. It’s been a pure blessing to see these minds challenged.”
Students in public and private schools compete as individuals and team members in a series of five academic tests, including: math, literature, social science, science, and essay.
Participants research and study the content outlined in the Academic Pentathlon Study Guide published annually.
The Pentathlon’s curriculum is aligned with California state content standards. The program culminates with an awards ceremony. The top scoring teams and individual students are awarded medals and plaques for highest scores.