ACADEMIC ALL-STARS; CANYON BOASTS SOLID LINEUP.Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer CANYON COUNTRY - Nine students from Canyon High School Canyon High School can refer to:
Two seniors and seven juniors will complete in the daylong day·long adj. Lasting through the whole day. adv. Through the day; all day. Adj. 1. daylong - lasting through an entire day event Feb. 5. The contest will feature 10 rounds with six written exams, two speeches, an essay and an interview. Taking place at Torrance High School Torrance High School, the oldest of four high schools in the Torrance Unified School District in Torrance, California, is one of the oldest high schools in continuous use in California and a popular location for television and motion picture production. , the event will conclude with a Super Quiz, a ``Jeopardy''-style contest, the only event open to the public. ``I try to build the idea that we're building the school in academics rather than in athletics,'' said Dennis Lynch, the team's coach and academic adviser. ``We have a very solid team this year.'' Each team must have A, B and C students. Last year, the Canyon team placed fourth in the North County Division and 13th in Los Angeles County. The eight members walked away with 15 medals. Returning to the team this year is Paul Seeley, who won three medals in last year's competition. He has been using the knowledge gained last year to help boost the 2000 team's competitiveness and enthusiasm. ``I think we could have done a lot better,'' Seeley said. ``I know I could have done a lot better.'' Seeley, a straight-A student, is a leading candidate for valedictorian. He is taking five advanced placement classes and is president of the Key Club and a member of the science olympiad Science olympiad may refer to:
``We spent a lot more time out of the classroom this year,'' said Seeley, adding that the decathlon team held numerous practice sessions at his house. ``We're a much better team this year.'' The students, four girls and five boys, have been practicing since the summer and meet an hour before school each day, after school, on the weekends and even on holidays. The decathlon falls on the same day as Canyon's winter formal, but the team members have opted out of the dance. ``It really drains you out,'' Seeley said. ``I don't plan to go.'' A group of seven teachers, the principal and parents have volunteered to help the team practice, listening to the prepared speeches and quizzing team members to heighten interview skills. On Thursday morning, while fellow students enjoyed a day off to recuperate re·cu·per·ate v. To return to health or strength; recover. from final exams Noun 1. final exam - an examination administered at the end of an academic term final examination, final exam, examination, test - a set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge; "when the test was stolen the professor had to make a new set of , the decathlon team was in class studying economics. ``There's a lot of pressure to improve,'' said Valerie Davis Valerie Davis is a fictional character on the NBC daytime drama Passions. Valerie has been played by Daphnee Duplaix Samuel since December 16, 2004. Valerie was temporarily played by Siena Goines, from January 30 to March 29, while Daphnee was on maternity leave. , 16, a junior. ``It's a lot of work.'' Davis said she joined the team to boost her college applications. ``I'm pretty fond of sleep, and getting into a good college is the only thing that will get me out of bed that early,'' Davis said. ``I want to go to UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX or Berkeley.'' Although the group started with 20 students, some have been eliminated along the way. A practice scrimmage was held in November that offered an indication of how well the group was doing. Teams are allowed a minimum of six and a maximum of nine participants. Each year, students are given a program listing the various subjects that will be covered in the competition. They will compete in math, economics, literature, plays and music, and must be able to identify 18 pieces of art. The Super Quiz questions will focus on the environment. Student conductor Stephen Aiken, 17, a junior, is excited about the music category, which will emphasize jazz. ``I was already familiar with a lot of the music selections this year,'' Aiken said. ``I'm interested in jazz.'' Aiken, who has a 4.6 grade-point average, has been playing the piano since he was seven. He began lessons in the fifth grade, the same time he began playing the violin The violin player usually holds the instrument under the chin, supported by the left shoulder (see below for variations of this posture). The strings are sounded either by drawing the bow across them (arco), or sometimes by plucking them (pizzicato). . Brock brock n. Chiefly British A badger. [Middle English brok, from Old English broc, of Celtic origin.] Smith, 16, a junior and newly chosen Associated Student Body president-elect, also will be participating in the decathlon. ``I'm doing this because I like competing,'' Smith said. ``It brings out the best in me.'' With a knowledge of acting and interest in drama, Smith is hoping to excel in the arts categories. He has participated in several plays, sculpts clay and recyclable materials, and is seeking to qualify for the prestigious California Summer School Program for the Arts at California Institute of the Arts California Institute of the Arts known as CalArts U.S. private institution of higher learning in Valencia. Created in 1961 through the merger of two other art institutes, it was the first in the U.S. . Smith, who is a vegetarian, says he has an interest in environmental issues and is hoping to push up the school's score in the Super Quiz. Having missed a drama festival to practice for the decathlon, Smith is confident that he will do well. ``People who can make a difference should try it,'' Smith said. ``I'm hoping to do the best for the school.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Adviser Dennis Lynch, left, has the Canyon Academic Decathlon Team ready to try to build on last year's strong showing. Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer |
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