Thirteen high schools from throughout the area are gearing up for Saturday’s 43rd annual San Joaquin County Academic Decathlon Championship at Lathrop High (Large Gym, 647 Spartan Way).

Included, locally, will be Manteca High, Sierra High, Ripon High, and, of course, host Lathrop High.

This year’s theme is Technology and Humanity.

During the Super Quiz, which is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. – open to the public – those competing in this event will take one of seven subjects: Science, Social Science, Math, Economics, Art, Music, or Language & Literature.

Earlier, students took part in the speech and interview competition held several weeks ago.

The winning team will be invited to the State Academic Decathlon Championship in Santa Clara, scheduled from March 21 through 24, with all fees being picked up by the San Joaquin County Office of Education’s Educational Foundation.

Other awards, according to SJCOE, include:

·         $5,000 renewable tuition scholarships to the University of the Pacific.

·         $500 award to top overall scorer in Division I and Division II (provided by the Education Foundation in honor of Walt Rathhaus).

·         $250 scholarships for top speech and interview (donated by Tina Talamantes).

·         Dave Sorgent Championship Award.

·         Cast awards provided by the SJCOE Educational Foundation-Educational Foundation.

·         Medals and plaques.

The SJCOE awards ceremony will  take place following the Super Quiz event, at about 3:45 p.m.