Academic Decathlon has assembled its official team for the 2011-2012 school year. The 12 members of the team have been given study materials that will prepare them for the regional competition on Jan. 21.

“I’m optimistic for this year,” Emily Weerakkody, club president and junior, said. “I feel like we’re off to a great start.”

Academic Decathlon sponsor Wendy Gerardot said she has created a study schedule that will help students break down the large volume of work into more manageable sections. She said students should study between two to three hours a week.

The study materials that the team members received include a three-inch binder of flashcards, vocabulary lists, articles and additional items that will be key to the team’s success. Benjamin “Ben” Anderson, varsity member and senior, said the size of the binder is very intimidating, but he said he feels he will be able to handle the workload with the study schedule.

Aside from the studying, Weerakkody said she wants to create more of a team environment by making locker signs and team t-shirts.

“Other than that we should be good to go,” Weerakkody said.