Arlington School & Family Magazine March/April 2016 | Page 29
Sam Houston High School
By Ruben Diaz - Texans Talk staff writer
The Academic Decathlon team
placed third in the Super Quiz Relay
at its regional competition held at
Lamar High School Jan. 29 and 30.
Students were asked 36 questions
over art, music, economics, social
science, language, science and
literature with only 10 seconds to
answer each question.
“I expected to basically lead my team
to medals and state, but unfortunately
that didn’t happen,” junior Amy Lam, the honor team’s top
scorer, said.
Even though Lam’s dream of leading her team to medals
and state did not come true, the regional meet has given
her and her teammate, sophomore Sergio Medrano, some
experience and expectations for future meets.
“Whenever I was there, I was so nervous,” Medrano said.
“But now that I’ve had somewhat of an experience, next
year, I’ll be ready for the competition.”
The team prepared long and hard to achieve their goal and
according to Lam, went as far as practicing their speech
every day and even meeting up once on a weekend.
“My team and I studied hard and we practiced our speech
and interview, but my team really helped me prepare for this
competition,” Medrano said.
However, there were some moments during preparation that
the team felt the pressure.
“Time was pressure,” Lam said. “I couldn’t manage to
memorize my speeches two weeks before the competition,
but I practiced just in time.”
Team coach Patricia Watson said she felt very proud of her
team’s performance at the meet.
“I was thrilled and proud of my kids,” Watson said. “They
did well.” †
Ruben Diaz Jr.
[email protected]
March/April 2016 - Arlington School & Family 27