Yuma Union High School District is seeking volunteer judges for multiple competitions at its annual Academic Decathlon Scrimmage.   

The scrimmage, which will help students prepare for Arizona’s regional competitions in 2024, takes place over two days (Dec. 1-2, 2023) at Yuma High School. 

“The event promises to be an inspiring showcase of academic excellence, and we are reaching out to our community to seek your valuable assistance,” Yuma High School Assistant Principal Marcia Sanchez said. “We are currently in need of volunteers to serve as judges for interviews and speeches and proctors for tests during the competition. Community involvement is crucial to the success of this event.”

There are multiple volunteer opportunities for those interested: 
Essays: After November 15, at your convenience, but finished evaluation by December 1
Interviews and Speeches: December 1, 2023 (5:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
Tests: December 2, 2023

Training sessions will be provided to ensure volunteers are well-prepared for their role as a judge or proctor. Dinner will be provided for all Friday volunteers, while continental breakfast will be provided for all volunteers on Saturday. 

To sign up and volunteer for this exciting event, please visit https://forms.gle/mSNNtUAZdgGmz2tz6 and complete the volunteer registration form. After filling out the form, a representative from Yuma High School will contact you with instructions specific to your competition.  

Questions should be directed to Marcia Sanchez at msanchez7@yumaunion.org or (928) 502-5036.

According to Arizona’s Academic Decathlon website, the Academic Decathlon program was started in California in 1968 by the Orange County Academic Decathlon Association, in cooperation with the Orange County Superintendent of School’s office. The Arizona Academic Decathlon Association (AADA) was formed in 1985 from the Pima County Academic Decathlon Association, which was started the previous year by the Pima County School Superintendent. Arizona held its first statewide competition in 1985.

Their mission is to promote, motivate and acknowledge excellence in academic efforts and educational achievement through a program of academic competitions for high school students of all scholastic achievement levels. As the name indicates, students compete in ten areas: art, economics, essay, interview, literature, mathematics, music, science, social science, & speech.

YUHSD schools have traditionally fared well at the state level of Academic Decathlon, with Cibola High School finishing in the top 13 multiple times, and several students from Cibola, Gila Ridge, and Yuma High taking home individual prizes.