Promoting Academic & Social Advancement by Taylor

Promoting Academic & Social Advancement by Taylor - May 2019 Scholarship Essay

Academic Decathlon is an international academic competition where students compete in the subjects of art, economics, literature, mathematics, music, and social science, as well as prepared and impromptu speeches, interviews, and essays.

Central High School is home to Oregon’s only Academic Decathlon team. The team has broken the record of longest-standing Academic Decathlon Team in Oregon and currently has the two members (myself and another student) who earned Oregon’s first international Academic Decathlon medals. Because this team is the only one in Oregon, each year, it is guaranteed we will attend nationals, and with this privilege comes a very high bill. Between plane tickets, hotel rooms, transportation, and competition fees, attendance to the national competition typically costs between $8,000 to $15,000.

Throughout my entire high school career, I've seen the team bring about great changes in many students, myself included. Because the teams consist of three different grade divisions, the Central High School Academic Decathlon team provides a safe space to be smart—one where grades don't matter—and has simultaneously seen great rises in the GPAs of many of our 2.99 and below students. Along with this sense of safety, comes a sense of home for all students. For myself, even, Academic Decathlon and the family that the team is made of helped me to stay strong during my most depressed and anxious times.

I may be a bit biased, considering I have been on the team for four years and the president for three, but if I was ever granted $10,000 to give to anyone or any organization in the community, I would donate it to the CHS Academic Decathlon team. I believe our team has done great things and deserves to live on to represent Oregon and be the one thing some students need to inspire them.