Academic competition season began early February, and for the deaf and hard of hearing teams at University High School and Venado Middle School, it began in impressive fashion.
University High’s DHH Academic Bowl team and Venado’s DHH Math Competition team both competed in the Western Regional tournaments for a chance to qualify for national competition. The two teams are part of OCDE’s Connections program, which supports students with individual learning needs.
Out of 16 teams competing in the Western Regional Academic Bowl, University High placed fourth to secure the final qualifying spot for the National Academic Bowl. From April 16 to April 20, coaches Moises Jaramillo and Brendan Bonette along with team members Robbie Bogen, Aissa Carvalho, Erik Lozada-Vasquez and Phelo Hanna will travel to Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., on an all-expenses-paid trip.
The national tournament will feature the top four teams from the three other regions and will quiz students individually and as a team. Questions will cover topics such as science, technology, pop culture and potpourri.
The top two teams, as well as the most outstanding player, will earn cash prizes
Led by coaches Casey Breen and Maxwell Bradney, Venado’s DHH Math Competition team also earned a trip to nationals after placing second at its Western Regional competition. The weekend-long event, hosted in Albuquerque, New Mexico, drew schools from 10 states.
Team members Gio Lee, Izzy Alejo, Thanya Nguyen and Jay Jimenez will now set their sights on the National Math Competition at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. From March 27 to March 29, students will tackle timed problems in algebra, geometry, statistics and number sense.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top four teams and the top four individual competitors.