RUMFORD — Mountain Valley High School students competed against their peers from across the state in the Maine Academic Decathlon. They took competitive tests in language and literature, art, music, science, economics, mathematics and history. All tests were centered around this year’s theme, “The Age of Imperialism: The Making of a European Global Order.”

The team included Carita DeTellis, Jeremie DeTellis, Nikki Hodgkins, MacKenzie McInnis, Cody Smith and Megan Worthley. Social studies teacher Ron LaBerge is the adviser.

Carita DeTellis was new to the team this year. She said, “We met every other week on Mondays after school to prepare. Then we got to ‘skip school’ on the Friday, the day before the meet.” The meet was held at Deering High School.

DeTellis recalls her stress and nervousness. “I forgot my laptop at school. I had my speech on my laptop so I had to use the hotel computer in the lobby, but others were waiting and I had a 10-minute time limit. I never wrote the speech out or practiced it. I was horrified, but found the judges to be very understanding.”

Each student gave a prepared speech. Then they selected from a list of topics for an impromptu speech. Finally, each student did an interview. Judges from business, government and the education field assessed the speech and interview

“The judges ask random questions about life,” DeTellis said. “They asked about my favorite subject, favorite extra curricula activity, and then the book we read, ‘Heart of Darkness’ by Joseph Conrad.”

Students were arranged in groups for testing. “I wasn’t with anyone I knew. I was the only freshman in my group,” DeTellis said.

DeTellis said the Academic Decathlon is “a wonderful way for students to learn about a subject in depth.”

The MVHS team began competing in 1991 and has accumulated 213 medals over that time. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded for first, second and third place.

This year’s team added to the medal count. Hodgkins earned a bronze medal for language and literature. Jeremie DeTellis was the high scorer on the MVHS team.

LaBerge appreciates the support for the team. “Our school district has always financially backed the team. We are the envy of some of the other competing schools in that regard.”

The Maine Academic Decathlon selects a team to compete at the national level.