California Academic Decathlon
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
March 17, 2012, Sacramento
The California Academic Decathlon (CAD) invites you to volunteer for the state championship scheduled for March 17, 2012, in Sacramento, CA. For the past 33 years, CAD has provided this country’s most prestigious academic competition thanks to the support of our volunteers.
This year we are expecting 600 high school students, representing 42 counties throughout California, to compete in the CAD championship with the winning school advancing to the national finals to defend California’s national title! In 2011, California’s top teams went on to set new records at the national level, sweeping all four divisions and extending our consecutive national championships to nine in a row. With your support, we can make it ten – and we can validate the hard work of teachers and students all across the state.
The Academic Decathlon is a competitive event modeled after the Olympics by stimulating academic achievement and honoring "athletes of the mind.” The competition provides high school students the opportunity to participate in an educational forum, which fosters a deep respect for knowledge, cooperation, and self-esteem. Like the decathlon of the ancient Greeks, the Academic Decathlon consists of ten exacting and exciting events. But, while the Greek events were contests of physical strength, the Academic Decathlon is a contest of academic strength.
Since 1979, CAD has provided over 250,000 of California’s high school students with the opportunity to learn subjects and skills that benefit them both in the classroom and in their future careers. The program is one of the most rigorous and enriching of its kind. Participants take tests in seven subjects – math, science, history, economics, art, music, and literature – and learn how to deliver speeches, write essays, and undergo interviews. The emphasis throughout is on collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.
It is also the only academic program in the world that requires the participation of students with a more limited history of academic achievement: three of each team’s nine members must have below a 3.0 GPA. These students are often the ones who benefit most dramatically from the program, learning study skills and time management in a setting that respects them for their education.
Encourage and support our state’s finest academic athletes for their hard work by volunteering at the Academic Decathlon. Contact Ken Scarberry at (707) 646-7603 or e-mail at kscarberry@solanocoe.net<
Share this with friends you believe would be interested in volunteering for the California Academic Decathlon!
If you’re ready to sign up, please complete the general volunteer request below.
Complete the information [highlighted in yellow] below.
First & Last Name: [___]
Age: [___]
Telephone(s): [___]
E-mail Address(es): [___]
Affiliation or Organization: [___]
Title: [___]
Mailing Address: [___]
City, State & Zip Code: [___]
Have you ever volunteered at a regional or state Academic Decathlon before? [__] No [__] Yes
If “yes,” what year, and what was your assignment? [___]
Are you a former decathlete, and if so, what year(s)? [___]
If you are affiliated with any participating high school, please explain: [___]
Indicate the position(s) you would like to volunteer for below by placing an “[X]” in the box before each selected assignment. Review the Volunteer Positions and Responsibilities sheet before making your selection(s). Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided for volunteers participating during morning and afternoon hours.
Saturday, March 17 @ Sacramento High School, 7:45 am – 3:00 pm
[__] Speech Judge
[__] Interview Judge
[__] General Assistance at Sacramento High School
Saturday, March 17 @ Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, 3:45 pm – 7:30 pm
[__] Super Quiz Proctor
[__] General Assistance at the Memorial Auditorium
Descriptions of Volunteer Positions and Responsibilities
Speech Judge
· Judge prepared and impromptu speeches (with two other judges) using guidelines provided.
· Ensure that participants are in the correct room.
· Ensure that participant enters/leaves room at scheduled time.
· Attend mandatory orientation for judges on day of event.
· Read materials sent prior to event.
· Pick up packet at registration.
Interview Judge
· Conduct structured interviews (with two other judges) for approximately 20 participants.
· Evaluate each participant’s performance in accordance with predetermined criteria.
· Attend mandatory orientation for judges on day of event.
· Read materials prior to event.
· Pick up packet at registration.
Super Quiz Proctor
· Monitor one school’s team of participants.
· Correct participants’ answer sheets.
· Attend mandatory orientation on day of event.
Thank you, in advance, for your consideration!
Sincerely,
Ken Scarberry
Executive Director | California Academic Decathlon
707.646-7603 | kscarberry@solanocoe.net<
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
