SOCES Aca Deca Team Wins First in LAUSD
By: Anya Vaiman, '26
The Soces Academic Decathlon team has yet again established itself as the LAUSD champion for the second consecutive year. On Saturday the 24th, in East LA, the Regional Competition Awards were presented to over 40 schools in the district, with board members and the Superintendent of LAUSD present. The team amassed 40,392.4 points out of a possible total of 60,000 and was crowned with the Superintendent’s Trophy by Alberto Carvalho. Overall, SOCES brought home close to 50 medals, a trophy, a Hall of Fame plaque, and a clear win that qualified them for the State Competition in Santa Clara next month. Nationals, the ultimate event for Aca Deca, takes place in Pennsylvania this year. There (if SOCES succeeds at State) they will go head-to-head with teams across the country.
Led by teacher Mrs. Gordon, the competing team is composed of Decathalete Captains Nathan Ark and Jaylen Patel, Sarah Kovalev, Kavidu De Silva, Eva Karamanoukian, Luke Bula, Luke Leung, Rose Ortiz, and Jericho Milrad. Team member Sarah Kovalev was named the Top Scorer of the SOCES team and also ranked the third-best scorer in LAUSD. “I’m so proud of the team and it’s great watching all of our hard work paying off,” she commented on her success at Regionals.
Captain Nathan Ark stated: “I’m super excited for State this year because we’ve made friends with so many other LAUSD teams. It’s awesome to study and hang out with them.”
The competing team is categorized into three categories: Honors, Varsity, and Scholastic, which are separated by GPA ranges. Over the year, the Aca Deca team studies and competes in categories such as Literature, History, Math, Science, Art, Economics, Essay, Speech, Interview, and Super Quiz. Last year, the team placed first in LAUSD and eventually made their way to Nationals in Texas. There, they place third in their division, with students earning individual awards and medals as well. This year’s topic, which the students are studying extensively, is Technology and Humanity, with focuses on Neuroscience, Computers, and Science Fiction Films.
Both the students and Mrs. Gordon are confident that they will reach Nationals and continue to grow and improve their scores. Mrs. Gordon shared that she considers the team to be a “tight-knit family,” due to all the hours they spend together at practices and competitions.
The SOCES team has consistently proven their academic strength and success at smaller competitions such as Scrimmage (where team members are determined) and Regionals (where they tied for first place in the Super Quiz event.) This year’s JV team, which supports and assists the competing team, consists of Isabella D, Spencer D, Henry G, Maxim K, Amelia M, Russell M, Eva P, Ruben S, and Kristen W. JV members Kristen, Maxim, Amelia, and Russell won additional medals at the Regional Competition.
