Elsinore High School Students Going to Decathlon Finals

The Elsinore High School Academic Decathlon team has been invited to the state championship competition in Sacramento in March.

County winners are automatic qualifiers, but then the state directors look at the rest of the scores statewide and invite at-large teams based on their scores.

"The fact that we were invited indicates that county winners aside, EHS was amongst the top 10-20 teams in the state," said EHS Academic Decathlon Director Ryan Klopp.

"It has always been a goal of mine to have the opportunity to advance to state. "The kids were thrilled to find out and we are very honored to be able to represent EHS and our district at the state competition."

The team of Elsinore students took on schools from across the county on Jan. 28 and again on Feb. 4.

The contest required writing essays, giving impromptu and prepared speeches, and participating in oral interviews with judges. Subjects included mathematics, science, history, economics, literature, art, music, and speech.

The teams also competed in a Super Quiz playoff that tested students' knowledge of the "Age of Imperialism: The Making of a European Global Order."

. This year’s first-place team winner was West Valley High School in Hemet and second place went to Hemet High School.

Temescal Canyon and Lakeside high schools also brought teams to the decathlon. Lake Elsinore Unified School District students with the highest scores on their respective teams were recognized, including: Lauren Wilson (EHS), Daniel Renouf (LHS), and Trevor Biddle (TCHS).