On Friday, April 5, almost 100 APS students traveled to Chadron to show their knowledge in specific areas as part of the 53^rd annual Chadron State College Scholastic Contest. CSC hosted 49 schools from three states and a total of 1,154 students who took over 40 different tests.  

Students compete as individuals as well as for the school they are representing. Every school is placed in a division based on the number of students attending that school. This year, Alliance High School competed and took home a 1^st place plaque in the second division.

            Not only do students who place first receive bragging rights for mastering their test, but also any senior who wins first place in a contest becomes the recipient of an Scholastic Achievement Award. The Award is a waiver of the in-state portion of tuition costs to attend CSC for the 2013-14 school year. Medals were awarded to the top three places for each test and Certificates of Merit are awarded to those finishing in the top 25% of each test.

            AHS students who placed include: Senior, Rennie Failor, who placed 4^th in Earth Science and 9^th in Literature; Senior Jacob Johnston who placed 9^th in Earth Science; Sophomore Bethany Baker who placed 2^nd in Library Science/Educational Media; Senior Olivia Vogel who placed 4^th in Art drawing; Junior Andrew Fualts who placed 5^th in World History; Senior Taylor Mack who placed 4^th in Chemistry; Senior Dawson Johnson who placed 6^th in General Biology; Junior Austin Fualts who placed 6^th in Personal Finance; Senior Keagan Hill who placed 7^th in Physical Education Sports Knowledge; Sophomore Colton Rolls who placed 2^nd in Health; and Junior Andrew Edmonston who brought home a gold medal in Vocabulary.

            After students were done taking their tests there were numerous activities and other sources of entertainment provided for the rest of the day. These activities included basketball, sand volleyball, a push-up/pull-up contest, swing dancing, Call of Duty, football scrimmage, Humvee rides, ping-pong, pool, and a cook-off.

            Junior Parker Cyza who competed in the Photo Journalism competition said his favorite part of the CSC Scholastic Day was definitely the food. There was an Italian buffet students could feast on to replenish their energy after the tests. “Everybody likes to get away from school once in a while, and it was a fun day,” Cyma said.

            Junior Andrew Edmonston, who brought home the only gold medal for AHS said, “I thought the test was really easy and was worried I would bomb it because it was too easy.” His favorite part of the CSC scholastic day was being able to walk around and talk to all of the people there.

            Alliance High School is honored to have students who care about their academics, who represent our school in a positive way, and who can compete with the best of the best in all areas. Congratulations, Alliance High placers!