NEBRASKA CITY – Eleven students from Lourdes Central in Nebraska City competed in the Nebraska Academic Decathlon State Competition at Bellevue University Feb. 18 and 19, placing first in the Very Small Schools category.
In addition to the Very Small Schools category – designated as schools with enrollment of up to 126 in grades 9-12 – Lourdes also placed third in the Small Schools category, which expands to include schools with an enrollment under 650.
“It was very gratifying to see that our hard work paid off,” said Tammy Partsch, the head coach of the Lourdes Academic Decathlon team. “We started working our way through the curriculum last summer and it was all for this.”
As part of the state competition, Lourdes Academic Decathlon team members test across the standard curriculum of art, literature, music, science, economic, social science, and math under the umbrella of a theme that changes each year. The theme for 2021-22 was “Water: An Essential Resource.” Each team member receives the same test; however, the tests are scored and ranked based on a student’s GPA. Regular team members also write an essay, give prepared and impromptu speeches, and sit for an interview.
The Lourdes Academic Decathlon team earned 19 individual medals at state.
Earning a medal for the main team in the Honors Division (GPA of 3.8-4.0) was sophomore Cora Krog. Krog earned a bronze medal in literature. She was also the top scorer for Lourdes at the competition.
“This was my first year in academic decathlon, and I’m definitely going to keep doing it,” said Krog. “We learned so much but it’s more than just the subject matter. Academic decathlon teaches us how to study, manage our time, and think creatively.”
Main team Scholastic Division students (GPA of 3.2 to 3.79) medaling were seniors Reed Greger and Emma Misner and junior Andrew Bakula.
“Speech and interview were my subjects,” said Greger, who received a gold medal in interview. “This was my third year being involved with academic decathlon and through the program, along with other high school activities like musical, one-act, and speech team, I’ve gotten more and more confident in giving speeches and interview. It’s a life skill.”
Main team Varsity Division students (GPA up to 3.19) who medaled were senior Mackenzie Ludwig and junior Ella Ragland. Other main team members not medaling included Honors Division students Anna Kincaid, senior, and Makenzie Green, junior.
Alternate team members also tested under the same subjects. The Honors alternate was junior Theresa Gygi, honors; senior Abby Koelzer, scholastic; junior Laura Vaverek, varsity. Senior Karla Rodriguez, junior Kaelyn Monahan, and sophomore Ava Buggi assisted the team.
Nebraska has been a participating member of United States Academic Decathlon since 1983. Approximately 40 schools throughout the state compete, ranging from very small schools to large metropolitan schools and including both public and private schools. Twelve schools (seven Very Small/Small and five Medium/Large) made it to the state competition. Mount Michael placed first in the Small Schools Category, Gross Catholic placed first in Medium Schools (student enrollment of 651-1,300) and Creighton Prep placed first in Large Schools (student enrollment of greater than 1,301). Mount Michael was the overall winner and will represent Nebraska in an online national competition in April.
Lourdes has participated in academic decathlon since the 1995-1996 school year. In their 26-year history with the program, Lourdes has competed at state every year, winning the Small Schools category nine times and the Very Small Schools category eight times. The school has also qualified to compete on the national level nine times in the past 26 years, earning second place in 2012 and third in 2017.
The Lourdes Academic Decathlon team is coached by Tammy Partsch and Tom Dinville. The theme for the 2022-2023 school year was announced by the United States Academic Decathlon organization March 1 (after press time).
