The Perry High School Academic Decathlon Team flexed their scholastic muscles at the recent regional competition, coming away with team and individual honors.

The two-day event was held January 20th at Johnston High School and the 21st at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny. The first day of the competition included student interviews with judges, as well as prepared and impromptu speeches. The second day focused on testing the competitors in math, science, social studies, music, art, literature, and economics. The contest concluded with a Quiz Bowl.

In the small school category, the Perry team placed fourth overall, though they finished first in the Quiz Bowl competition. Additionally, senior Alexandra Tasler earned first place in the literature, music, economics, and interview sections, en route to an overall first place finish at the Scholastic level. The eight-member team is divided between the honors and scholastic levels, with the division based on grade point average in core courses. The team is coached by Teresa Kresse and Lisa Schumacher, with the competitors including Kaylyn Bousman, Lucas Davis, Jefry Gonzalez, Jocelyn Hopkins, Jenna Lawson, Bree Martin, Daniela Santacruz, and Tasler. See below for a list of individual awards for Perry students from the Academic Decathlon.

Honors Level (GPA of 3.75-4+): Kaylyn Bousman – 2nd place in Speech; Lucas Davis – 3rd place in Speech; Daniela Santacruz – 3rd place in Music.
Scholastic Level (GPA of 3-3.749): Jefry Gonzalez – 3rd place in Literature; Jenna Lawson – 1st place in Literature and social Studies, 2nd place in Art, and 3rd place in Music; Bree Martin – 2nd place in Music, Science, and Art, 3rd place in Literature, Economics, Speech, and overall; Alexandra Tasler – 1st place in Literature, Music, Economics, Interview, and overall, 3rd place in Science and Art.