Names of Note: Stanislaus announces Academic Decathlon winners. Foster Farms gives again
Oakdale High School topped the 42nd annual Stanislaus County Academic Decathlon, which was both live and online for 2022.
Enochs High placed second and Hughson High third. Oakdale won the Super Quiz, and Enochs took the Challenge Cup. Oakdale moves on to the the state competition, to be held virtually in March.
The Decathlon tests students’ knowledge via tests, speeches and interviews. Each high school could send three students in each of three divisions based on grade point average.
The theme this year was “Water — A Most Essential Resource.” Students approached it via several contest categories: math, science, art, music, social science, economics, and language and literature.
The county held virtual gatherings for the speeches and interviews. The Super Quiz and award presentation were Feb. 5 at the county Office of Education.
The individual high point winner in each division:
- Michael Balerite of Enochs, honors division (3.8 to 4.0 GPA)
- Carter Franca of Oakdale, scholastic (3.2 to 3.79)
- Johanna Fabia of Oakdale, varsity (3.19 and below)
Alexia Jeevan of Oakdale was the champion among alternate team members. Nitheea Medam of Modesto High won the essay contest.
The Decathlon also had teams from Beyer, Central Catholic, Ceres, Davis, Johansen, Keyes Charter and Patterson high schools. Complete results are at www.stancoe.org.
The event is sponsored by the Office of Education, E.&J. Gallo Winery and Mocse Credit Union.
Foster Farms bolsters food banks
Foster Farms donated about 70,000 pounds of goods to three California food banks still stressed by COVID-19.
It was not the Livingston-based company’s own chicken and turkey, but rather vegetables, beans and grains from other producers.
Part of the donation was to Second Harvest of the Greater Valley, which serves Stanislaus, Merced and San Joaquin counties. The other recipients were the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services and the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank.
“Foster Farms remains dedicated to fighting hunger and will continue to help where we can support our food bank partners, who do such important work in serving our communities,” said Ira Brill, vice president of communications for Foster Farms, in a news release.
He urged others to donate time, money or food to the nonprofits. The release noted that more than 8 million Californians do not have enough to eat even as the economy recovers from the pandemic.
“While the holidays have come and gone, hunger remains,” said Blake Young, CEO of the Sacramento operation.
Names of Note recognizes people and organizations for their contribution to their communities. Submit items to jholland@modbee.com.
