The United States Academic Decathlon is a team competition wherein students match their intellects with students from other schools. The contest is held by 39 states and has come to be recognized as the most prestigious high school academic team competition in the United States. Since Lourdes first began competing in academic decathlon in 1995, the team has qualified every year to compete at the state level, working its way through Regional competitions to get there. At State the team has placed second or third in the competition numerous times, but in 2003 and again in 2004 the team--which competes against both Class C and Class D schools--won the Gold! All of the hard work has paid off handsomely for Lourdes students, who have won a total of over $20,000 in scholarships over the years.

We are off to a great season in cheerleading. To start off the year, we held try-outs where thirteen ladies made the squad. Members of the 2004-2005 Cheer Squad are: Adria Baker, Abby Bebout, Kathy Farris, Amanda Pargett, Taylor Winscot, Katlynn Yost, Chanel Seeman, Jessie Becklun, Leslie Boyle, Amber Walters, Stephanie Pryal, Cassie Goodman, and Morgan Martinosky. In June, we loaded up the bus and headed to Lake Okaboji, Iowa, where the ladies had an excellent growing experience. We attended the Universal Cheerleaders Association Cheer Camp. The camp coaches pushed our young squad to the max. They learned new cheers, a dance, and X-treme Routine, jumps, and worked on stunting. In the end, our ladies left with six "Superior" ribbons, and one "Excellent" ribbon. They also brought home a trophy for "The Most Improved Squad," and a trophy for "The Over-all Superior Squad."

Throughout the year our squad is involved in several fund raisers, cheering at fall sports, and cheering at winter sports.  At the conclusion of the basketball season, we will focus our energy on the spring tryouts so we can start over next year with a new squad.