Whitney Young Magnet High School has a long and proud history with the Academic Decathlon. Young has been the Illinois State Champions for 24 out of the last 25 years. Furthermore, Young has represented the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago all over the United States. As an example, three years ago the National Competition was held in Hawaii and Whitney Young High School finished 2nd place in the Nation.

The Academic Decathlon consists of 10 academic subjects that include: math, science, economics, music, art, language and literature, history, prepared and impromptu speech, interview, and essay. The team consists of 9 competing members with 3 members coming from each of the following grade average categories--A average, B average, and C average. This insures that the entire school community is represented.

2011 NATIONALS:
We did it again! Another Banner Year--Another Banner for 3rd Place in Division 1 now hangs in our school accompanied by many others. Moments of mention from Charlotte, North Carolina. Co-Captain Dohyun Bae received the Gold medal in Math; Matt Ahrenholz received a Gold in Super Quiz, and a Silver in Music; Anji Bei received a Gold in Music, a Silver in Language and Literature, Bronze in Social Science; Simon Whedbee received a Gold in Social Science and Art, a Silver in Music, and a Bronze in Super Quiz; team co-Captain Alyssa Bivins received a Bronze in Economics and Super Quiz. The team won a Bronze in Super Quiz Team event beating out Wisconsin and Arizona.

Thank you to Tabitha Rice who helped as assistant coach this year. Tabitha helped with essay and language and literature as well as general support for me and the rest of the team. Our program continues to succeed nationally as a testament to our school community's herculean effort to remain an outstanding educational environment for all our students.

A special thanks goes to the parents that helped transport, support, and celebrate the entire team. Your consistent presence and conversation aided me greatly.

Sincerely,
Coach, Brian Tennison.

Some of Our Proud History over the Past Years of National Competition:

• 2011-Charlotte, North Carolina, 3rd in Division 1, 3rd in Super Quiz
• 2010-Omaha, Nebraska, 3rd in the Nation, National Champion-Super Quiz
• 2009-Memphis, Tennessee, 5th in Nation, 4th in Division I, 3rd in Super Quiz
• 2008-Orange County, California, 5th in Nation, 4th in Division I, 3rd in Super Quiz.
• 2007-Honolulu, Hawaii, 2nd in the Nation
• 2006-San Antonio, Texas, 4th In the Nation National Champion-Super Quiz
• 2005-Chicago, Illinois, 5th In the Nation, 4th Division I
• 2004-Boise, Idaho, 5th In the Nation
• 2002-Phoenix, Arizona, 3rd In the Nation
• 2001-Anchorage, Alaska, 3rd In the Nation
• 2000-San Antonio, Texas, 3rd In the Nation
• 1999-Anaheim, California, 4th In the Nation
• 1998-Providence, Rhode Island, 5th In the Nation
• 1997-St. George, Utah, 3rd In the Nation
• 1996-Atlanta, Georgia, 8th In the Nation
• 1995-Chicago, Illinois, 2nd In the Nation

Current News:
Academic Decathlon Tryouts are May 16!

Go Dolphins!

The team is coached by Brian Tennison and Tabitha Rice.

Past Super Quiz topics:

• 2012 - The Age of Empires
• 2011 - The Great Depression: Geology
• 2010 - French Revolution
• 2009 - Evolution
• 2008 - The Civil War
• 2007 - China
• 2006 - The European Renaissance: Renewal and Reform
• 2005 - Exploring the Ancient World, From Empty Space to Incredible Universe: The Sky Is Not the Limit
• 2004 - America, The Growth of a Nation: The Lewis and Clark Expedition
• 2003 - Understanding the Natural World, The Blue Planet: Beneath the Surface
• 2002 - Understanding Others, E-communications: The Internet & Society
• 2001 - Understanding the Self, Concepts of the Self: Philosophy, Psychology, and Religion
• 2000 - Looking Forward, Creating the Future: Sustainable Earth
• 1999 - Looking Inward, The Brain
• 1998 - Looking Outward, Globalization: The New Economy
• 1997 - Information Revolution
• 1996 - The United States: Cooperation and Competition
• 1995 - Biotechnology: The Next Frontier