Lyndonville academic team wins back-to-back state championships

Press release

LYNDONVILLE – Nine members of the Lyndonville Academic Decathlon team defended their state title, winning the small-school state championship during March 15-16.

Lyndonville earned 17 medals at the 2013 state competition at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse.

Jamie Tombari won a medal in five different categories, the most by a Lyndonville student. Tombari’s medals came in the essay, history, math, music and Super Quiz categories.

Cole Heideman brought four medals back to Lyndonville, earning recognition in art, economics, literature and music. Jessica Czechowicz was a three-category medalist, winning her medals in art, history and music.

Dakota Froman and Zac Karp each won two medalsFroman in economics and music, and Karp in interview and literature.

Sandra Clemens, Jeremy Foss, Jordyn Smith and Amanda Sullivan won in math, SuperQuiz, literature and essay, respectively.

The team, coached by Paula Reimann, will now compete electronically at the national level on April 4 and 26. Lyndonville finished 16th in the nation last year.

“We have established ourselves as a model program for small school participation at the national and state levels,” Reimann said. “Our students gain study skills, confidence and learning strategies through this program.”

The Lyndonville team has participated for more than 20 years in the United States Academic Decathlon program. Each team consists of students in grades 9 through 12. Participants compete in three groups based on grade point averages: Varsity, Scholastic and Honor.

“I am very proud of this year’s participants, their dedication, and their teamwork,” Reimann said. “I wish to thank the parents, teachers and the community for their support and encouragement of Academic Decathlon.”