El Camino Real Charter High School Wins Calif. Academic Decathlon

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Academic Decathlon team from El Camino Real High School Sunday was named winner of this year's California championship.

The nine-student team dominated the three-day competition in Sacramento, defeating 64 other teams for the title.

Members included: Justin Chau, Neelem Sheikh, Thasneem Syed, Melissa Cheng, Sandra Vadhin, Eric Yun, Jose Apolaya, Rohan Boone, Brandon Slater, and Coach Stephanie Franklin.

Granada Hills Charter High finished 533 points behind El Camino. Both teams will represent California at the National Academic Decathlon in Honolulu next month.

"I'm thrilled that two Valley schools will represent the LAUSD in the National competition," said board member Tamar Galatzan, whose district spans the West San Fernando Valley.

"The students and coaches commitment to win is nothing short of amazing. Congratulations on this wonderful achievement of academic might and competitive spirit," said Galatzan.

Since 1991, El Camino Real High School has won 10 state titles and six national championships, according to a news release by the LAUSD.

As recent as 2010, El Camino took home both state and national titles.

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