High school Academic Decathlon team garners 17 state medals

The Chardon High School Academic Decathlon team exemplified excellence as it navigated a rigorous State competition throughout March following the team’s garnering of 28 medals in regional competitions last month.

For the State competitions, teams from around the state traditionally come together at a college — most recently John Carroll University in March 2020 — for testing, interview and speech performances, and even a head-to-head quiz bowl-style competition.

“As with many activities this year, the 2021 State competition was forced into the virtual realm for all phases, culminating in a Zoom awards ceremony on March 20,” said CHS ACADEC coach and business teacher Allen Herner.

“Facing stiff competition in a tough division, Chardon represented well, coming away with 17 individual medals spread over all 10 disciplines. Shoutout to the CHS math department as the team picked up four medals in mathematics — the most in any category — including a gold.”

State medalists included senior Bradley Duchon (two gold, four silver, two bronze); graduating junior Paige Yamamato (three Silver, one Bronze, and Paige was featured in a speech showcase); senior Abigail Atchley (one silver, one bronze, and Abigail carried the highest overall team score); senior Benjamin Perry (two bronze); and sophomore Austin MacCartney (one bronze).

“Of course none of this would be possible without the support of the Chardon Schools Foundation and their generous funding of study materials and entry fees,” added Herner.

SUBMITTED Chardon Academic Decathlon Team exhibited excellence at the 2021 State competitions, coming away with 17individual medals earned by team members (from top, left, to right, sophomore Austin MacCartney, senior Benjamin Perry, senior Abigail Atchley, graduating junior Paige Yamamoto and senior Bradley Duchon.