UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Three standout members of Upper Lake High School’s Academic Decathlon team have won medals at the California Academic Decathlon competition.

Jeff Fannon, Annalise Smith and Sarah Williams medaled in the individual speech category at the state competition, which took place over the weekend in Sacramento.

This year’s theme was, “The 1960s: A Transformational Decade,” with 68 teams and 595 students participating.

Upper Lake competed in the Division 3 category.

Students compete in three levels: honors, 3.75 to 4.0 grade point average; scholastic, 3.0 to 3.74 GPA; and varsity category, 2.99 GPA or below.

The top scores in each of the levels for speech was 1,000 points.

Williams tied for first place with 1,000 points in the scholastic level, Fannon placed second with 970 points in varsity and Smith tied for third place with 985 points in honors.

Smith’s speech was particularly poignant, as it described her brother Kellen’s recovery from a vehicle crash last year.

Williams also won a medal for being Upper Lake’s high point scorer, with 5,969.10 points.

Upper Lake is coached by Anna Sabalone, Angel Hayenga and Christal Coatney.

In addition to Fannon, Smith and Williams, team members include William Cromwell, Jasmine Haro, Jenaya Horne, Jisel Horne, Joslyn Huntley, Deeya Kalan, Jessica Lee, Emily McKelvey, Kehlani McKelvey, Diana Mendoza-Razo, Katlyn Minnis, Robert Porterfield, Hugh Ramos, Isabel Sanchez, Seneca Snow, Maria Tinoco and Amantae Wyman.

Willits High School, which also participated in Lake County’s Academic Decathlon competition, brought home medals as well, competing in Division 2.

In the varsity level for economics, Grady Williams won a first-place medal with 660 points, while Mikayla Blake tied for third place with 580 points.

In the essay competition, Williams won first place for the varsity level with 916 points, and Blake won a first place medal for varsity competitors in the interview.

Willits’ top-scoring student was Savanna Hofmaister, an honors level competitor, who had 7,534 points.

Willits is coached by Mary Colvig. The rest of the team includes Amy Andrade, Jacob Arms, Tyler Bailey, Joscelyn Beebe, Jaeva Cash, Spencer Copperfield, Brieana Evans, MaKenzie Hansen, Elizabeth Henning, Karen Hernandez, Teophil Labus, McKenna McNelley, Mara Moratti, Ariel Reyes, Logan Simms, Micah Stamps, Lillian Turner, Emerald Water and Ian Watson.

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