Stanislaus County junior high school students are gearing up for the 21^st Annual Stanislaus County Academic Pentathlon. Approximately 70 students are slated to participate in a series of tests, speeches, and essays featuring this year’s theme, The Roaring Twenties. The Super Quiz and Awards Presentation is on Tuesday, April 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Martin G. Petersen Event Center, 720 12^th Street, Modesto, CA 95354. 

Sponsored by the Stanislaus County Office of Education and the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County, the Pentathlon promotes scholastic achievement and interschool competition in academics. In the Pentathlon, 7^th and 8^th graders compete individually and as team members in Speech and a series of five tests in subject areas including Mathematics, Fine Arts, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.

“The competition provides a forum for celebrating achievement and academic excellence in a team environment,” said Student Events Program Manager Cheryl Goulart. “The Pentathlon is an educational activity that furthers a deep respect for knowledge, cooperation, and self-esteem in students.” 

Five local junior high and middle schools are participating in this year’s event, including Blaker-Kinser, Creekside, Great Valley Academy, Prescott and Ross.