Mighty Macs Academic Academic Decathlon Team Qualifies for Nationals

Mother McAuley Academic Decathlon Team 2016: The team qualifies for nationals after a successful state competition.

The Academic Decathlon team has had an impressive first year at Mother McAuley. Last Saturday, the team Mighty Macs went toe to toe in the state meet, where they were tested in 10 academic subject areas in addition to their speech, essay and interview skills.

McAuley finished in ninth place overall, and second place among the non-Chicago Public School teams. This distinction is important, as CPS teams have the Academic Decathlon as a class as opposed to a club that meets after school. With less time to prepare, a second place finish is notable.

The Mighty Macs were the youngest team at the competition, with one freshman, seven sophomores, one junior and one senior. Going up against teams of mostly seniors, especially in subject areas like mathematics and science which include questions on pre-calculus, physics and other areas a younger team would not have studied yet, placed the Macs at a disadvantage, but they didn't let it show.

Every McAuley student on the team finished in the top quarter in individual events, and as a whole, had the highest rankings in mathematics and science out of any other team at the meet. Furthermore, the only freshman in the competition, Clare Graney-Dolan '19 (Beverly), a McAuley Agatha O’Brien Memorial Scholar, finished in 54th out of 108th place.

Other team members include Ariana Alcantar '18 (Chicago Lawn), a Big Shoulders scholar, Annie Chellberg '18 (Evergreen Park), Jessica Gomez '18 (Oak Lawn), Sara Law '16 (Palos Heights), Isabel Luna '18 (Garfield Ridge), Cindy Maciel '18 (Chicago Lawn), a Big Shoulders scholar, Meg McKibbin '18 (Evergreen Park), Maddy Murphy '17 (Mt. Greenwood) and Isabella Rutherford '18 (Markham). Faculty members Mrs. Mary DeVoto and Mrs. Lisa Rollheiser.

Their final scores for the day have qualified the team for competing in nationals remotely on Friday, April 29.

United State Academic Decathlon endeavors is to develop and provide academic competitions, curriculum and assessment to promote learning and academic excellence through teamwork among students of all achievement levels. Each year, the decathlon focuses on a different theme. This year’s theme is India.

Source: Mother McAuley Liberal Arts Academy