After coming close several times in recent years, Moniteau High School's Academic Decathlon team captured its first state title in March, securing their place in the national competition.

The nine-member team will represent the state of Pennsylvania in the U.S. Academic Decathlon national championship April 27 to 30 in Charlotte, N.C.

The team includes seniors Sarah Miller and John Klecha; juniors Tim Shearer, Clarissa Kimmey and John Cravenor; sophomores Amanda Mock, Angela Schandelmeier and Roman Weingartner; and freshman Jake Taciuch. The team is coached by Jeremy Borkowski and Kelli Kimmey.

The students were named overall regional champions in February, advancing to the state competition March 4 and 5 in Bellefonte.

More than 100 students on 14 regional teams from across Pennsylvania participated, but only the first-place team advances to the national tournament.

At three local competitions, small and large schools compete side-by-side. Once teams advance to the regional level, schools compete in small- or large-school divisions. Each student competes in the 10 events against other students in the same division.

With more than 60 high school teams competing statewide, Moniteau was one of 14 to advance to the state level.

Still, a team must come out on top overall, as Moniteau did, to advance to the next level of competition.

The students take seven multiple choice exams in art, economics, language and literature, math, music, science and social science. Also included are three objective events: speech, interview and essay.

Study materials arrive at the end of the school year for the next year's competition, and Borkowski said the students tear into the boxes as soon as they're delivered.

“By then, you're tired of the old information,” explained Miller. “To get something new to learn is exciting.”

Borkowski estimates the students go through about 100,000 sheets of paper to prepare for competition.

Except for math, the subjective events are linked by a common theme. This year's curriculum focuses on the Great Depression.

The team meets regularly during the summer and into the school year, with after-school meetings and a class period designated to their studies.

The group estimates spending at least a few hours per day studying, with even more time devoted as a competition approaches.

“It's no different than any other activity,” Mock said. “You prioritize your time and discipline yourself so you can excel at everything you do.”

At Moniteau, students may participate in the Academic Pentathlon starting in eighth grade, which often serves as a pathway to Decathlon competition in high school, Borkowski said.

The Academic Decathlon program has been in place at Moniteau since about 1986, said Joann Duke of Clay Township. A former volunteer coach, Duke is now one of two state directors.

Slippery Rock High School is the only other Butler County school to offer such a program, but Duke said she'd like to see it in place at more schools.

“It is not necessarily all your straight-A students going to this — that's the beauty of the program,” Duke said.

Decathlon teams consist of nine members, who are divided into three divisions encompassing a range of grade-point averages.

As the years go by, students' grades tend to improve and they move up the ranks, she added.

The team members agree they've learned study skills and strategies that will help them as they continue their educations.

Weingartner said that although the team is diverse in age, ability and backgrounds, it works for them, rather than against them.

“It makes the team stronger,” said Weingartner.

Clarissa Kimmey agreed, adding the teammates have become close friends.

“Without Decathlon, I might never have become as close to these people as I am now,” Kimmey said. “It's really made my high school experience.”

With the Academic Decathlon team performing at a high level, Cravenor said it's given him a way to stand out from the high school crowd.

“Before Decathlon, I was an everyday student,” he said. “I've been able to get more noticed and make a name for myself.”

The team was recognized by the community following their March 5 victory, when they were surprised by an impromptu celebration in the high school parking lot.

“It made an amazing day even better,” Borkowski said.

Despite the rainy weather, parents, school board members and friends waited outside to congratulate them.

“As a building principal, it's wonderful to see excellence in motion,” said Moniteau principal Maynard Harvey, noting the team's diligence and determination. “They worked tirelessly toward this goal of going to nationals and it's great for the entire community.”

Volunteer coach and parent Kelli Kimmey of Washington Township agreed.

“It's hard sometimes, having a sense of community in a rural area,” she said. “We feel lucky to have this program at Moniteau and we're just so proud our school has excelled at this.”

No matter what happens, the team is excited about the possibilities.

“We want to be consistent and we want to enjoy every moment,” Borkowski said. “What an honor to represent the state of Pennsylvania.”