The Academic Decathlon team will meet next week to prepare for its upcoming competitions.

The team members will read their speeches, select a t-shirt design and learn the official participants.

“Nine members participate in the competitions in three different brackets based on their grades,” Academic Decathlon co-coach Scott Staley said.

The Area Competition will be Jan. 23 at Homestead High School. The State Competition will be Feb. 12 and Feb. 13 at Purdue University.

The team competes against rivals such as Martinsville High School, which has won the past 10 competitions, according to Staley.

“Our goal is to place first in both competitions. Then we would go on to Nationals,” Leslie Cornelius, Academic Decathlon president and senior, said. By Natalie Maier <[email protected]>