SPECIAL TO THE CHOWCHILLA NEWS</p><p>The Madera County Office of Education will host the annual Academic Decathlon this Saturday, Feb. 6, at Madera South High School.</p><p>Fifty students from six high schools will compete in this 10-event academic competition. This year's topic is The French Revolution.</p><p>"Madera County's outstanding students are ready to strut their academic prowess," said Dr. Sally Frazier, Madera County Superintendent of Schools. "After hours of preparation and team building fun, students from high schools throughout Madera County are ready to compete in Madera County Office of Education's 28th Academic Decathlon."</p><p>Each student will be required to deliver a prepared speech, an impromptu speech and interview before a panel of judges as well as take objective tests.</p><p>In addition to the speech and interview, each student will take seven objective tests on the subjects of art, economics, language and literature, mathematics, music, science and social science.</p><p>The tests will cover a variety of topics based on The French Revolution. Students will also be tested on the book, "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens.</p><p>An essay exam was administered on January 29 at State Center Community College District, Madera Center. Students chose between three given prompts and wrote an essay based on their response to that prompt.</p><p>The Academic Decathlon will conclude with the Super Quiz. While in front of an audience, students from each school will answer questions on the history of the Revolution.</p><p>"If you want to catch the spirit of the academic competition, plan to be a part of the fascinating spectators' event, the Super Quiz" said Frazier. "You will feel the energy of a supportive community eagerly cheering on the 'home team!'."</p><p>The Super Quiz will begin at 2:30 p.m. at Madera South High School and the public is invited to attend this event.</p><p>A reception will follow the Super Quiz. The winning team will be announced and individual awards will be given at the awards ceremony beginning at 4:15 p.m.</p><p>Along with representatives from legislative officials, local community members and business persons will present awards during the awards ceremony.</p><p>The winner of the county competition will move on to the state competition in Sacramento March 12-21, 2010 to represent Madera County.</p><p>A top ranking senior from each school as well as the gold medal winner in each of the subject areas will receive a $100 scholarship. The individual who scores the highest amount of points throughout the entire competition will receive a $200 scholarship award.</p><p>The schools participating this year are: Chawanakee Academy, Chowchilla High, Liberty High, Madera High, Madera South High and Yosemite high schools.</p><p>More than 75 volunteers from throughout Madera County will help during the event. Volunteers will serve as speech and interview judges, will administer tests and will be Super Quiz proctors as well as assisting in other various areas.</p><p>Students participating in the Academic Decathlon are eligible to receive college credit from Fresno State. Students must attend three workshops at Fresno State and take all of the objective tests.