North Reading High Students Fare Well in Academic Decathlon

Some of North Reading's brightest student turned in impressive performances at the state academic decathlon competition in Quincy Saturday. And though the team didn't advance to states in March, they'll get one more chance this coming Saturday when NRHS hosts the Ray Landry Invitational.

North Reading sent a small contingent of four competitors and one alternate to Quincy, but managed to bring home many awards. Isabel Thorstad finished fifth overall in the Scholastic Division, taking fifth place for Music and Essay, fourth place for Literature, and earning a bronze in Art. She also took home a silver medal for combined score in the subjective events (speech, essay, and interview).

Laura Wagner took fourth place for the Music test. Caitlyn Galvin finished fifth for the Social Science test and won the gold medal in the Essay competition. Michael Tyrrell finished fifth in Math and Economics, and won silver medals in Science, Social Science, Essay and Speech. He also won the gold for combined score in the subjective events, and took the overall bronze for his division. In the honors division, NRHS had one alternate, Samantha Galvin, who was not eligible for awards but worked hard preparing and testing. The team is motivated to compete this Saturday on its home turf.

Ray Landry was the original Academic Decathlon coach at North Reading High School. The event gives the one team the opportunity to win and advance to the state final at MIT in March.