We are elated to announce the results of the Academic Decathlon State competition held this past weekend in Santa Clara, CA. The Science Academy STEM Magnet and AGBU MDS will represent California in the online United States Academic Decathlon National Competition after their decathletes competed against 480 students from 60 schools across CA.

• Junior Bedros Oruncakciel won bronze in Speech.

• Senior Andrew Gharibian won gold in Literature, Math, and Interview, as well as a bronze in Art, Economics, and Science

• Senior Sevag Vakian won bronze in Economics and Math, a silver in Interview and Science, and a gold in Social Science

• Senior Sevag Markarian won bronze medals in Science, Economics, and Math.

• Sevag Vakian also earned the highest score from our team and the highest score in Division III.

• Andrew Gharibian earned the bronze medal for the third overall highest score in Division III.

• Andrew Gharibian, Sevag Markarian, and Sevag Vakian each also joined the prestigious 8K Club, which is reserved only for those whose score exceeds 8,000 total points.

• Sevag Vakian and Sevag Markarian were also recognized as four-year decathletes.

• These accomplishments, along with the important contributions of team members John Mazedzhyan, Ani Tokadzhyan, Mateos Celik, Isabella Shagmirian, and Mina Kajoukian, have allowed the team to advance to the Virtual National Championships in April.

We are proud of our Titans for reaching first-ever milestones in the State Decathlon Competition. Thank you to Juliana Davoudikia for traveling with the team and volunteering, and to Mrs. Avedian for chaperoning an unforgettable experience. A special thank you to our Titans’ Decathlon Coach and English teacher, Mrs. Taleen Hasholian-Newbury, for her unwavering guidance, dedication, and support. An additional thank you to our DHS Principal, Mrs. Anahid Nalbandian, for her leadership and commitment. We wish our decathletes luck as they continue to make us proud and represent our school at the National Championships.