Beaumont High School Aiming High In Academic Decathlon

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The 37th annual Riverside County Academic Decathlon will open Saturday, when teams from 16 schools — including Beaumont High School — vie for the top spot and an opportunity to represent the county in statewide competition.

The first half of the countywide decathlon is slated to last most of the day at Vista del Lago High School in Moreno Valley, involving essays, speeches and oral exams in economics, literature, math, music and science.

This year's event is themed "In Sickness and in Health: An Exploration of Illness and Wellness," highlighting healthcare issues, medical progress and related topics.

Teams, composed of nine students each, will have to complete a series of essays and interviews to pass muster and qualify for the "Super Quiz," scheduled for the morning of Feb. 1, according to the county Office of Education.

Elsinore High School in Lake Elsinore took top honors last year — for the third consecutive year — going on to compete in the 2019 California Academic Decathlon, which this year, is scheduled for March 27-28 in Sacramento.

Elsinore landed in 18th place during last year's statewide contest.

Students from the following campuses are taking part in the 2020 countywide contest:
— Beaumont High School;

— Canyon Springs High School, Moreno Valley;

— Corona High School;

— Elsinore High School, Lake Elsinore;

— Great Oak High School, Temecula;

— Hemet High School;

— JFK High School, Norco;

— John W. North High School, Riverside;

— Palm Desert High School;

— San Jacinto High School;

— Shadow Hills High School, Indio;

— Temecula Preparatory Academy;

— Valley View High School, Moreno Valley, which has two teams;

— Vista del Lago High School, Moreno Valley;

— West Valley High School, Hemet; and

— Western Center Academy, Hemet.

Over the last decade, West Valley High has won the countywide decathlon seven times, the most of any competitor.

— City News Service contributed to this report.