Contact: John Anstey PhD Phone (402) 498-0798 JRANSTEY@aol.com

2175 N 124th Ave. Circle Omaha, NE  68164

Nebraska Academic Decathlon

Press Release

Date: January 23, 2012

For Immediate Release

THE NEBRASKA ACADEMIC DECATHLON

Forty-four student teams around the State of Nebraska have been undertaking preparations for the 2011-2012 Academic Decathlon.  Regional competitions were held at seven sites across the State on January 21, 2012.  The State Final event will take place February 17-18, 2012 at Creighton University.

Each competing team includes six students with equal numbers of A, B, and C grade-level students.  Other students prepare as alternates to compete on their school’s team.  Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded for individual events and total scores.  The Nebraska State Champion will travel the National Final in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on April 25-28, 2012.  In addition, an online National Final will be held for the top-scoring school in both the medium-sized category and the small-sized category.

Students are tested in ten separate areas: Economics, Art, Language and Literature, Math, Music, Science, Speech, Interview and Essay. The Regional, State, and National events also include a “Super Quiz” where participants are given seven seconds to respond to questions in an auditorium setting.  Other team members, family members, coaches, and friends give the Super Quiz a pep rally atmosphere.  The overall curriculum theme for this program year will be “The Age of Empire”

Academic Decathlon is an approved activity by the National Association of Secondary School Administrators and the Nebraska Academic Decathlon Foundation, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization.  Nebraska Optimist Clubs and Creighton University sponsor the statewide program.  The Nebraska Academic Decathlon promotes academic growth, teamwork, and communication skills among high school students of all achievement levels through statewide academic competitions.  Nebraska joined this national endeavor in 1983.   

The Nebraska Academic Decathlon's annual operating budget is approximately $157,000.00 to cover costs of scholarships, recruitment, study materials, competitions and promotion.  The program receives its financial support from various foundations, businesses, Nebraska Optimist Clubs, and individuals.

Media contact information:

Name: Dr. John Anstey

Title:    Executive Director

Address: 2175 N 124th Ave. Circle

                Omaha, NE  68164

Phone number: (402) 498-0798

Email: jranstey@ne-ad.org