GOOD NEWS!
Serra's Math Competition Team: Anthony Battey, Romeo Casas, Stephanie Pham, Thanh Tung Quy, Shayla Smith, Martin Aguilar, Vicky Bautista, Daniel Guerrero, Keilla Mata, and Melinda West, under the direction of Mr. Nadi Wissa, came in first in their division and third nation-wide with a final score of 293 points out of 300. Congratulations! Individually, Martin Aguilar was second and Thanh Tung Quy was third. Martin missed first place by one point. Nationally they came out third and fifth respectively. Every member of the team scored in the top ten percent or above nationally!!!! Serra Math Club Rocks!
CONGRATULATIONS, FAYE!
Faye Villaroman received first place in the South Bay Water Board Science Competition. She will be honored at a ceremony at the Carson City Hall on April 28, 2008.
On Saturday, February 2nd, ten students from three different grade levels at Junipero Serra competed in the Academic Decathlon at Bishop Alemany High School. These students brought home a second place trophy for their division, and won a total of 38 medals individually. It was the largest medal count Serra has won in its history, and the first time the school has placed in its division.
The Academic Decathlon is a storied competition that began in Texas, but has its biggest following among California schools. Teams from around the country compete in separate divisions, with the winners going on to the state and national competitions. The event features ten competitions: Music, Language & Literature, Essay, Economics, Art, Science, Speech, Interview, and a Jeopardy-style Super Quiz (both written and oral).
This year's competition among private and Catholic schools at Bishop Alemany featured a record 25 teams, ranging geographically from the South Bay to the San Fernando Valley to the Antelope Valley. Serra's division consisted of Santa Clara in Ventura, Cathedral, Bellarmine-Jefferson, Whittier Christian and St. Anthony, all in Los Angeles.
Junipero Serra's team won an all-around silver medal for placing second overall, with individual medals going to those who placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in the separate events. The medal breakdown is:
(Seniors)
Stephanie Pham won 4 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze
Romeo Casas won 1 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze
Sergio Garcia won 1 silver and 1 bronze
Anthony Battey won 2 gold and 2 silver
(Juniors)
Patrick Cannon won 2 silver
JaiMarie Marcelin won 1 silver
Melinda West won 3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze
Daniel Guerrero won 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze
(Freshman)
Liliam Morales won 1 silver
Chelsea Tomlin won 2 silver and 1 bronze
Students are chosen for the team by their counselors and Mr. Posatko, the team moderator. The team has benefited from a recent inclusion in the Period 7 program underway at Serra. Next year, they will be going for the gold!
