One Tracy School Divides and Conquers

This past weekend Delta Charter High School, part of the New Jerusalem School District, had over thirty students in two counties competing in scholastic events.

Delta Charter fielded its first Academic Decathlon team and wrapped up the two weekends of competition on Saturday at the Scottish Rite Temple in Stockton. The competition included 16 schools from around the county; three from Tracy. Delta Charter, in their first year of competition with a team consisting of ten students and coach Julie Mc Donald, took 3rd place in the overall small school competition; the only team from Tracy to win a team award.

At the same time, Delta Charter sent its Speech and Debate team to Turlock High School, competing against twenty other schools from the Central Valley.  This was the final league tournament of the year. Jordan Dacayanan took first place in International Extemp, Danielle Raymus took 2nd place in Dramatic Interpretation, and Melissa Pacheco took 5th place in Dramatic Interpretation.  Delta Charter is currently 5th in the Big Valley District (which is comprised of 17 schools), and is poised to overtake perennial powerhouses Bear Creek and St. Mary’s for third place. 

“These types of events showcase the hard work and determination to achieve on the part of our students and staff despite the road blocks thrown in front of them by preconceived notions and stereotyping.  The honors our students are earning are proof that in our society a small group of dedicated individuals can make a difference, and only furthers our resolve to be a place where success is the only option.”  Stephanie Lytle, Delta Charter School Principal

 Multiple individual and team awards were won, but the true victory came from the little school that is vying for academic excellence among the best high schools in the Central Valley.