The Votes Are In!
2024 Readers' Choice is back, bigger and better than ever!
View Winners → 
South Pasadena HS Decathlon Champions Again!
Education Feb 18, 2018
Image used for illustration only - Courtesy photo
by
share with
Image used for illustration only – Courtesy photo
South Pasadena HS leads’ a contingent of seven other teams that also qualify for the state contest next Month
South Pasadena High School won the 2018 Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon, county education officials announced.
South Pasadena High School of the South Pasadena High school District won the decathlon, for the fourth consecutive year, with a tally of 57,353.70 points improving their score for a third time. Last year’s score was 56,462.10 points bettering their score from two years ago, which stood at 55,353.90 points (out of a possible 60,000).
By winning the Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon, South Pasadena High School automatically advanced to the California Academic Decathlon scheduled for March 22nd – 25th in Sacramento. But because their scores were high enough to qualify an additional seven Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon teams were invited to compete in the state Decathlon as “wild-card” entrants.
The 2018 Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon results were announced by Los Angeles County Office of Education Director of Communications Frank Kwan in ceremonies at the Quiet Cannon Country Club. Nearly 500 students from 60 teams, which included 17 practice squads, participated in the decathlon that is annually presented by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE).
The top-scoring individual decathlete was of Thomas Sawano of South Pasadena High School with a score of 9,267.40 (out of a possible 10,000). He was followed by Steven Chin also from South Pasadena High School with 9,182.80 points and third place went to Allison Out from South Pasadena High School who tallied 9,176.40 points.
The Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon competition, which this year focused on the study theme of “Africa,” took place Jan. 27th and Feb. 3th at El Rancho High School. The Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon is open to public high schools in the county that are outside of the Los Angeles Unified School District, which holds a separate Academic Decathlon competition and awards ceremony.
The Academic Decathlon is a local-county/state/national honors program designed to promote self-assurance, academic enrichment and teamwork among students from a diversity of academic backgrounds.
Decathlon teams are comprised of students from all grade-point averages. Decathletes are challenged to use analytical skills, performance abilities and test-taking and writing aptitude in 10 subjects: Art, Economics, Essay, Interview, Language & Literature, Math, Music, Social Science, Speech and Super Quiz (Science).
The winning team at Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon, along with top-scoring squads that qualified as “wild card” entrants, will participate in the California Academic Decathlon scheduled for March 22nd – 25th in Sacramento. The winning team at state advances to the U.S. Academic Decathlon scheduled for April 19th – 21st in Frisco, Texas.
Listing of Top Team & Individual Awards on Next Page and attached document
Key Team and Individual Results:
Top Overall Team Scores (out of a possible 60,000 points):
South Pasadena High School – 57,353.70
Mark Keppel High School – 55,071.00
West High School – 52,683.50
Schools With Most Improved Scores (compared to last year):
William S. Hart High School by 9,430.30 points
South High School by 7,268.10 points
Lynwood High School by 4,714.40 points
Rookie School of the Year:
California Academy High School
Roberta Kordich Coach Award (for commitment & dedication):
Tin Tran of Mark Keppel High School
