Students take on the American Revolution.

The theme for the academic teams this year is the American Revolution. Each team will follow the same theme and answer questions that align with the time period. Team members are utilizing the preseason to study their texts and practice problems.

“I would say what makes the team important would be each individual member. They all bring their own backgrounds, strengths, and experiences that make each of them a valuable asset to the team. This year’s theme is The American Revolution, so all of our readings are tied to that. We have poems, a nonfiction text, and, most excitingly, the Hamilton soundtrack for our literature this year,” Mrs. Laura Kuntz, English team academic coach, said. 

The English academic team has previously performed well at competitions. 

  “The competition season has not started yet this year, but in previous seasons, we have placed in the top three at several competitions since I have been coaching. I am hoping to do well this year and maybe even make it to the State competition,” Mrs. Kuntz said.

The social studies academic team has the same hopes for State finals.

“The social studies academic team is important because it gives students a chance to study an event or time period in detail. History has brought us to where we are now, so it is important that we look back at it to understand where we came from and to inform us as we move forward,” Mrs. Kathryn Grider, social studies academic team coach, said. 

Competitions include a round of 25 questions for each subject. Whoever has the best score wins the round. The social studies academic team has scored as one of the highest teams in the State in previous years. 

Mr. Rich Perry’s science academic team believes making it to State is not rocket science.

“I’ve coached for over 20 years. We celebrate athletics and drama all the time; the science academic team and the other teams celebrate the whole reason for school: academics. It gives students the chance to show off academic skills and be celebrated just as the athletics and drama are,” Mr. Perry said. 

 “Franklin and Plainfield are our biggest rivals. Conference competition is very competitive. Academic teams in general give students an opportunity to win as students instead of as athletes or singers or actors,” Mr. Perry said.

Mr. Christian Cruz’s math academic team hopes they reach high numbers.

“It’s important to show off our academic abilities and see that intelligence can win just like sports can. It’s going to be math concepts from that time period of the American Revolution. However, the themes aren’t always very relevant to math as they are to English and social studies so sometimes it’s difficult to prepare for. We occasionally get first or second. Last year, we won third. Encouragement from our school is key,” Mr. Cruze said.

The academic teams have three competitions: March 10 at Mooresville, March 17 at Whiteland, and April 21 at Greenwood. The meet on April 21 is a State-qualifying competition which they would move on to compete in the State finals competition at Purdue University in May.