Massabesic High School came in fifth place overall and scored four individual medals at the recent State Academic Decathlon meet at Deering High School.

According to Chris Estes, Academic Decathlon coach, the nine-member school team is broken down into three teams called Honors, Scholastic and Varsity, which have three members each.

The topic for the 2009 competition was Latin America, for which students researched and studied 10 different subject areas: math, economics, language and literature, art, music, social science, speech, interview, essay, and the Super Quiz, which covers science. The Super Quiz topic also changes each year, and this year it was evolutionary biology. Students gave both a prepared speech and an impromptu speech. They were also required to read the novel, "Bless Me, Ultima," by Rudolfo Anaya.

Natalie Van Houten, a junior, earned a bronze medal in the language and literature section; senior Liberty Olsen earned a bronze medal in math; team captain, Sally Pitcher, also a senior, earned a bronze medal in the interview portion and; senior Corinne Carland earned a gold medal for her speech.

"This was the best Massabesic has done as a team and as individuals in the four years I've been coaching," said Estes. "I am extremely proud of their effort this year, and though we are losing quite a few seniors, they have set an excellent example for their underclassmen teammates."

According to Estes, the Academic Decathlon is an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about a specific topic across the curriculum in addition to their regular classroom material, and provides new experiences for students.

Scarborough High School came in first of the schools that competed, which included Bangor High, Portland High School,

Monmouth Academy, Sanford High School, Oak Hill High School,

and Calais High School.

The topic for next year is the French Revolution, said Estes, and the returning team members have already begun studying.