Not many students would be too excited to spend a whole day taking seven multiple choice tests, performing two subjective events, and writing an essay, but here at Lake Highlands, we have a whole team of them who excel at it.

The Academic Decathlon is an annual competition in which students are placed in three achievement levels based on their GPA—Honors, Scholastic, and Varsity—to compete with other students in their division on the ten events throughout the day. 

At the recent ACDEC competition, Lake Highlands students placed 2nd at regionals and are starting to become state-worthy winners.

“To prepare for the competition, we would learn the majority of the subjects together as a class, but we would have to learn the rest of the subjects while at home,” said ACDEC member Syed Hasan (11). “At home, I would read through the packets for each of the subjects and practice my speech for the speaking section of the class.” 

Unlike typical classes, ACDEC covers a variety of subjects. Because of this, every student gets to delve into topics that they find interesting or unfamiliar ones that challenge them. Several students attest that they went into ACDEC uncomfortable with public speaking and have gained confidence and helpful strategies that they practice in the Speech category. 

Aside from challenging events, ACDEC teaches students how to be team players and have fun. 

“My most memorable experience was on the drive home from district, my Coach, Ms. Boland, two of my teammates, Maria Jose, and Kiara, and I sang Christmas music loudly and poorly all the way home,” said member Makyala Brown (10). “Even though it wasn’t actually a part of the academic side, it showed me that this team wasn’t just about testing and being smart.”