High School North and High School South Academic Decathlon Teams returned from the 2013 national competition as top teams in the country. North’s team placed 15th and took home the “Rookie of the Year Award” as the highest-scoring first-time team. High School South’s team was 21st.
North’s team includes Albert Yang, Akhil Velagapudi, Prasannasai Meruga, Masha Zharova, Sheril Christopher, Vicki Chan, Robin Li, Neha Kulkarni, Roberta Shapiro, and Michael Zhang. Li and Kulkarni are co-captains of the team. Zhang received $500 for being the highest scoring team member as well as the “Most Valuable Player” on the team. The team advisor is teacher Tobi Arias.
South’s team, pictured, includes Charlie Gu, back left, Vishal Tummalapalli, and Kevin Chu; and Sally Jiao, front left, Celena Chen, Valentina Kozina, Masha Zhdanova, and Phoebe Wang. Jiao, the team captain, was also the highest scoring decathlete in Division II. The team advisor is teacher Karen Shannon.
