By David Harry
Staff Writer

Scarborough High School Latin teacher Shane Davis had a question for sophomore Mike Bamford, but it wasn’t likely to be asked in the upcoming Maine Academic Decathlon.
“Which Beatles song refers to King Louis XIV?” Davis asked Bamford, who was wearing an “Abbey Road” T-shirt.
It wasn’t critical for Bamford to know the Fab Four’s “Sun King.” But knowing why the French monarch was called that could be very pertinent when he competes Feb. 27 in the annual competition of essays, quizzes, interviews and speeches at Deering High School in Portland.
The winning school proceeds to the national competition in Omaha April 21 to 24. If history is any indicator, Scarborough students should already be considering what to pack.
Scarborough High School students won the first state academic decathlon in 1986. Since then, they have won 19 more titles, including the last five. In the “super quiz,” climax of the daylong competition, the Red Storm has ebbed a bit, sharing or winning 15 titles.
As the decathlon approaches, the nine team members and four alternates held a “cram-a-thon” last Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon studying facts and minutia about the revolution. It was a study session and fundraiser as students raised about $700 to $800 for decathlon materials and possible travel costs, Davis said.
Depending on airfares, Davis estimated it will cost $8,000 to $10,000 to go to Omaha for the national competition.
“This is the high school initiation to the all-nighter,” Davis said, although his comment drew laughs from students who already know which energy drinks are best to mix with Mountain Dew when they stay up late.
Veterans of the decathlon also are aware of the standards they bear: Scarborough students placed 19th overall and fifth in their classification last year in national competition. Senior Caterina MacLean won the essay contest and Seth Albert, who is now a junior, finished second in the math competition.
“He just crammed some calculus at the last minute,” said teammate Jacob Wakem of Albert’s achievement.
Last year, the topic was Latin America, this year it is the French Revolution. Davis said questions may cover the art, history, music, politics, economics and literature of France during the 100 years before the 1789 revolution and past to events occurring in 1870.
The team uses study materials that can cost as much as $1,700. This year the team used some of the money left over from last year’s fundraising for the trip to Memphis, Davis said.
After the state competition, there will be more fundraising – and plenty more studying.
Shamtosh Devarajan is a freshman alternate who said he quickly learned the commitment it takes to be on the team.
“You are studying long hours on the weekend, you can’t go out,” he said.
The work is not for everybody, Davis said.
“This takes a unique student. They are effectively studying a one-semester college curriculum,” said Davis, who coaches the team with history teacher Jon York
Shortly after the bell rang, Davis launched into the section on art and music of late 17th century and early 18th century France.
Facts to learn ranged from the definitions of the rococo style, bridging baroque to classical music, and how the court composer of Louis XIV died of gangrene after impaling his foot with the metal staff he used to keep time.
Davis said a team-wide general base of knowledge is critical because points are scored on a cumulative basis in tests, essays and speech scores. Some schools spend a semester instructing decathlon teams on the competition topic.
Veterans of the Scarborough team, including sophomore Rebecca Mitchell, said state competition is intense.
“All you can think about is what is going on in the next hour,” she said. Scores are updated about three times during the day.
The three-day national competition can be more fun, said sophomore Susan Rundell.
“It is a chance to meet all these people interested in the same things,” she said.

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219