Bella Vista's Academic Decathletes Continue Winning Tradition

For the past two years, the academic decathlon team had finished in second place in the Sacramento County competition.

"Our slogan for preparing this season was 'Regain the Reign,'" said Bella Vista co-captain senior Adam Kuphaldt. BV had last won in 2009.

When most of their fellow teenagers were out watching movies or just hanging out for the last three weeks before the competition on Feb. 5, the nine Broncos students were studying and memorizing flash cards. It paid off.

, county education officials announced Feb. 8. It's the school's 20th first place finish since 1988.

Bella Vista now advances to the state finals, which will be held March 15-18 in Sacramento.

"This was a dream team," said Mike Erickson, a co-advisor for the team and retired teacher. "They've worked hard. It was a great experience being with them."

Charlotte Bailey is the other team co-captain.

"We all came together as a team to win," said Bailey, who will attend Claremont McKenna College in the fall. "This has been the best part of my senior year."

To prepare for the county event, the team went on trips and retreats, including Washington, D.C. and Bodega Bay. Now it's time to get ready for the state meet.

"We have continued getting better," said student Matthew Lacey. "There are tests and an interview, so you have to be well-rounded."

Southern California teams will provide the biggest challenge, students say, especially Granada Hills, which took the national competition last year.

"The student body here is behind us," Lacey said. "They cheer for us."

The other Bella Vista academic decathletes are Dominique Terry, Dylan Sheldon, Connor Gorman, Alex Fisher, Jacky Foy and Sahar Foruzan.

"We have a balance of kids with different interests who came together for this," said team co-advisor Geni Aymeric. "It's a legacy and we get support from alumni which is more important when funding is down for most school groups."

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