Students stomped their feet in the bleachers at the East Union High School’s large gym as they cheered on their teammates during the Super Quiz last Saturday – the final and most raucous event at the 2015 San Joaquin County Academic Pentathlon for seventh and eighth grade student.s

The weekend competition saw 14 teams of seventh graders and 19 teams of eighth graders involved.  In all, nearly 350 students from 15 schools across San Joaquin County were in the event. 

Sixth grade students will compete in the county schools pentathlon Saturday, May 9, at Manteca High.

Competing in the Academic Pentathlon leaves a lasting impression on the students, according to Todd Foss, coach for the Stockton Unified School District McKinley Elementary School.  “I have 30-year-olds coming up to me talking about their past experiences,” he said.  “It’s a team.  They really bond together.”

Teamwork is at the heart of the academic pentathlon which encourages and rewards academic excellence among students of all ability levels.  It provides and environment conducive to learning where individual leadership, cooperation and peer support are incorporate as motivators, he added.

“The kids learn how to study and have fun when they study,” said Jennifer Duren, coach of Rio Calaveras Elementary School.  Organized by the San Joaquin County Office of Education, the Pentathlon covers five subject areas including essay, literature, science, math and social studies.