In back, from left, are Jack Gable, Joseph Kearns, Katie James, Riley Dalrymple, Emily Norman and Holly Allain. In front, from left, are Katie Kearns, Nina Nugent, Ellie Noland, Abby Dalrymple and Molly Gutekunst.

WAKE FOREST — St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School competed in the Diocese of Raleigh Inaugural Academic Junior High Decathlon March 11 at Immaculata Catholic School in Durham, NC.

The Academic Junior High Decathlon is a competition for students in grades 6 through 8. There are 10 events. Two are collaborative team efforts – a logic quiz with 20 rigorous thinking problems and a super quiz with 50 multiple choice questions on five broad academic themes. The remaining eight events test individual knowledge of the Roman Catholic doctrine, English, Literature, Science, Mathematics, Current Events, Social Studies and Fine Arts (Art and Music).

Led by their coach, Holly Allain, the students prepared for more than three months spending time after school and studying on their own. They also raised money for their team by selling baked goods at the annual St. Catherine of Siena pasta dinner in January.

Saint Catherine of Siena students took home first place overall and first place in the Super Quiz and Logic Quiz. There were several individual winners as well including Nina Nugent, grade 6, first place in Roman Catholic doctrine; Ellie Noland, grade 6, first place in English; Katie James, grade 8, second place in mathematics; Emily Norman (grade 7) first place in science; Katie Kearns (grade 6), second place in literature; Joseph Kearns, grade 8, first place in social studies; Molly Gutekunst, grade 7, first place in current events and Abby Dalrymple, grade 6, second place in fine arts.