The Academic Decathlon team from Oak Ridge High School brought pride to El Dorado County last month, earning top honors at the most recent California State Academic Decathlon that spanned three days in Santa Clara. The team clinched second place overall in Division 4 and captured a silver medal in the highly competitive Super Quiz event.
The state finals welcomed top-performing teams from across California, each having advanced through rigorous county-level contests. For Oak Ridge High School, the road to Santa Clara was paved with months of dedication, long study sessions, and team-building efforts that tested not only academic knowledge but also composure and collaboration under pressure.
The silver medal in the Super Quiz—one of the most anticipated and public-facing parts of the decathlon—was a highlight of the weekend. This fast-paced, team-based relay challenged students on a broad spectrum of subjects and rewarded their cohesion and critical thinking.
Their overall Division 4 second-place finish further underscored the team’s academic excellence and the strength of their preparation. The success was guided by Academic Decathlon Coach Jeff Hassian, whose leadership and encouragement helped elevate the team to this remarkable performance.
“I am so pleased with the amazing accomplishments of our Oak Ridge High School students,” said Hassian. “Our team’s notable success was led by captains Sophia Sumimoto and Ethan Pham. I want to personally thank Dr. Manansala from the El Dorado County Office of Education and Oak Ridge High School Principal Aaron Palm for their continued support of this amazing academic competition that allows students from El Dorado County to compete at the state level. The students showed true grit and character in accomplishing this feat and I am so proud of the entire team.”
El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ed Manansala also applauded the team’s success: “Congratulations to the Oak Ridge Academic Decathlon team on their outstanding achievements at the state competition. Your hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence exemplify the very best in academic achievement. You should stand tall and proud of this incredible accomplishment. May you celebrate this moment fully and carry the memories and lessons from this experience with you for a lifetime.”
The Academic Decathlon is a nationally recognized program that challenges high school students to excel across 10 disciplines—art, economics, essay, interview, literature, mathematics, music, science, social science, speech, and the Super Quiz. It encourages not only academic rigor but also teamwork, as students from different GPA brackets collaborate and support one another through the demanding curriculum.
Oak Ridge High School’s latest achievement at the state level is a testament to the school’s culture of excellence and the power of mentorship, hard work, and teamwork in shaping student success.
Copyright © 2025, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
