As you have seen reported in this Log on previous occasions, we take great pride in the accomplishments of our present-day Mustangs. One of the foremost indicators of how a school is functioning academically is the standing they achieve in the Academic Decathlon. This is not just a brain-game contest but a super bowl of Jeopardy questions that challenge the teaching abilities of the faculty and the determination of students throughout the district.

        Previous to this yearıs Academic Decathlon, Lincoln had won the 'Super Quiz' phase in 6 of the last 7 contests.

        The Academic Decathlon has been in existence since 1987. At one point in the San Francisco school system teachers were being transferred to other schools for various reasons. The problem was addressed by several Lincoln teachers led by Adrienne Sciutto. They decided to show what 'dedication' could do. Sciutto, Gale Dent, and Anna Bolla, all Social Science teachers, endeavored to pick the best teachers from the transferrees to come to Linclon.

        With what amounted to an academic 'punch in the nose' in mind, and with speech and the Super Quiz foremost on the agenda, they started to build the nucleus of what is now almost an academic dynasty where all students benefit from dedicated teachers.

        This year the competition was very close. Members of the Lincoln team, tutored by Tom Martin, were ready. Led by perfect SAT scorer, senior Wendy Man, the team consisted of 8 other students; seniors Amy Chang, Nick Lapis, Conmin Cheng, Nancy Yan, Alan Jew and Derek Chan and juniors Ivanna DeAlba and Nancy Chiu. The competition itself consists of 50 questions each in 10 subjects. There are three levels of competition: 3.0 grade and below called the Varsity; 3.0 to 3.8 is Scholastic; and 3.9-4.0 the Honors level.

        After the first phase, Division 1, Lincoln had 1600 points and the closest school team, one that also started with an ŒLı, had 1700 points. Going into Division 2 the Lincoln students were determined to cut that lead. With their pride on the line, they awaited the scoring. When the scores were read Lincoln had 1700 points, but the 'other' team came in with 1800 points. Amy Chang had missed one of the ten questions and was so upset she could not contain her emotions.

        But there was still the Super Quiz phase to go, and the students knew that only a miracle could overcome the 200 point lead. But these young adults are Mustangs, they know no fear, they overcome obstacles, their pride in school and themselves came through and when the Super Quiz scores were read Lincoln had 3500 points and the 'other' team had 3300 points. A tie. But Academic Decathlons cannot end in a tie. What to do? Well, football games are won in sudden death overtime, why not academic decathlons?

Each team picked one member to represent their school to answer one question. If both teams answered the question correctly then another member would step up for the next question, so on and so forth. Lincoln's choice was, you guessed it, Amy Chang.

The question was read and the students began to write. The student from the 'other' school finished first, put down her writing implement and sat smiling as Amy formulated an answer. With the clock running out, Amy put down her pen and, emotionally exhausted, breathed a long sigh.

        The answers were collected and graded and the results announced to the silent, attentive, breathless audience crowding the auditorium.

Somewhere in the annals of the San Francisco Public School system there must be an academic competition as close and enthralling as this Academic Decathlon but to these students, on this day, in this auditorium, on this stage, nothing in the world mattered more than the outcome of this competition. Hardly a breath could be heard as the announcement was made "The winner is................Lincoln".

        Holy cow! Leapin' Einstein Batman. We all know one student who will not awaken 10 years from now in a cold sweat because she missed that one question.