West Genny Academic Decathlon to compete at states

The second-place Academic Decathlon team from West Genesee High School, in front from left to right: Megan Nolan, Emma Ryan, Kenneth Brill and Andrew Fordyce. In back, from left to right: Kristina Konfederat, Megan Petty, Callie Campbell, Lauren Brieant, Lindsay Grome, Michael Richards, Scott Duda, John Lisi, Alexander Pompo, Dakota White and Tatyana Shakhov. Provided

Staff reports

As of Tuesday, February 7, 2012 -10:03 a.m.

Students from Cazenovia, Cicero-North Syracuse, Liverpool, Tully, Westhill and West Genesee high schools competed in the local Academic Decathlon competition Jan. 28 at Westhill.

The team from West Genesee High School came in second overall, edging out third-place Westhill and finishing just behind first-place Cazenovia. West Genesee brought home a total of 20 medals.

The top two teams will advance to the state competition March 9 and 10 at Onondaga County Community College.

Competing for West Genesee were Kenneth Brill, Andrew Fordyce, Lindsay Grome, Kristina Konfederat, Megan Nolan, Alexander Pompo, Michael Richards, Jerry Roy and Emma Ryan. They are coached by Scott Duda, a WGHS science teacher in the Learning Center who has been meeting with the team since the fall in preparation for the competition.

Alternates on the team were Lauren Brieant, Callie Campbell, John Lisi, Megan Petty, Tatyana Shakhov and Dakota White.

Individual medals were awarded for the highest scores on six objective written tests in music, art, language and literature, science, mathematics and economics. This year’s them is "The Age of Empire."

A school’s team is composed of three "A" students (honor level), three "B" students (scholastic level), and three "C" students (varsity level). All take the same academic tests, but trophies are given for the top three individual scores in each level.

Here’s how the individuals placed:

Ryan earned one gold medal for music; two silver medals for art and language and literature; and one bronze medal in economics at the Honors level for a total of four individual medals.

Fordyce earned two gold medals for math and economics; one silver medal for art; and one bronze medal for science. He also came in second overall at the Scholastic level for a total of five individual medals.

Eagle Observer