RUMFORD — Each year students at Mountain Valley High School compete against their peers from across the state in the Maine Academic Decathlon. They take competitive tests in language and literature, art, music, science, economics, mathematics and history. All tests are centered around this year’s theme: Russia.

The MVHS team included Kalim Chhoun, MacKenzie McInnis, Katie Mills, Jon Petrie, Josh Rainey and Alex Witas. Retired social studies teacher Ron LaBerge was the adviser.

Senior Josh Rainey was new to the team this year. He explained, “Mr. LaBerge wasn’t here any more [LaBerge retired at the end of last school year] so I decided to join Academic Decathlon so I could see him. It’s a lot of work. I never had time for it but this year decided to make the time.”

Veteran team member MacKenzie McInnis recruited another new member, perhaps without disclosing the full details.

Cambodian exchange student Kalim Chhoun said, “First, Mackenzie said it was fun last year — you got to go to the mall and hang out. The topic was Russia and I thought Russia was a cool country. The priority was fun. I didn’t understand about the tests at first.”

The testing is extensive. Chhoun explained, “At Deering High School, we took about 10 hours of tests about Russia.”

“We prepared for almost a half of a year by studying and practicing for interviews and speeches,” said Junior Katie Mills. “I prepared mentally for taking the tests, interviewing and giving the speech.”

In addition to the tests, each student gives a prepared speech. Then they select from a list of topics for an impromptu speech. Finally, each student does an interview. Judges from business, government and the education field assess the speech and interview portion of the competition.

MVHS has a proud history at the competition. The team began competing in 1991 and has accumulated 214 medals over that time. Much like the Olympics, gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded for first, second and third place.

This year’s team added to the medal count. Chhoun earned a silver medal for mathematics. Alex Witas 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. The mission of the United States Academic Decathlon is to promote learning and academic excellence among students of varying achievement levels by developing and providing multidisciplinary academic competitions using USAD-based curricula.