Barlow High School earned 1st place at the State Of Oregon Academic Decathlon Finals. They did commendable work and earned the win. Of special note is that the team exists in large part due to the effort of a remarkable student who wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. It's a great story. A high school senior demanding that pure academic achievement be given a place at the table.
Corbett School and Corbett Charter School earned 2nd and 3rd places, respectively. Corbett Charter School placed 2nd in the Super Quiz, with Corbett School placing 3rd. There were a number of great individual efforts, but we simply lacked the needed depth to pull out the win.
Corbett School won the right to represent Oregon in the online Small Schools national competition. We will do our best.
Overall, we would have to call this a building year. We took two freshmen to the event (almost unheard of) and the Charter team had no veterans. Barlow had two students who competed last year and seven of their nine members were seniors. They were well poised for a win. And they were well prepared.
I have to add that spending time with the 17 competitors from Corbett School and Corbett Charter School was a wonderful experience. These are among the nicest, brightest young people anywhere. I am deeply grateful to know them, and everyone with whom they came in contact was favorably impressed.
I predict that we will (both) do better next year. Stay tuned. For a year.
