Academic Decathlon

Pictured above in California at National Competition are the 2008 team of:  Back Row:  Brian Ting, Kieran Holzhauer, David Conway,  Mary Kate Winslow.  Front Row:  Korey Enright, Biyang Wang, Isabel Salovaara (Captain), Shimeng Yu, Stephanie Poindexter, and Christopher Chu.

Whitney Young Magnet High School has a long and proud history with the Academic Decathlon. Young has been the Illinois State Champions for 21 out of the last 22 years. Furthermore, Young has represented the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago all over the United States. Last year 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.

2008  NATIONALS:
In a record briaking year Whitney Young Magnet captured 4th place in Division I and 5th place overall in the Nation.  Furthermore, they were 3rd place in the team Super Quiz event!!!


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

             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:  State Champions for the 22nd time out of 23 years!!!  On March 15, the team from Whitney Young captured its 22nd State title.  Scoring 49,700 at the competition, the Academic Decathlon team (Acadec) is tied for 4th in the nation.  Nationals were in Garden Grove, California on May 1st through 4th, 2008.

 The team is coached by Brian Tennison and Maria Gevas-Hagan.

Past Super Quiz topics:

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

Photo Gallery

2006 WBBM Radio
Interview (audio)

2006 Pep Rally
(video)

AcaDec Overview (video)