NEW BERLIN - Ancient scientists attempted to unearth the secrets of alchemy, hoping to find hidden gems. In modern day, New Berlin Eisenhower High School Academic Decathlon (ACADEC) coaches Erik Fountain and Ms. Blue have discovered and mastered “alcdechemy” the process of changing useless students into ACADEC gold.

On a cool Wisconsin morning, as the sun slowly rises and birds begin to chirp, people across the world sleep blissfully. You know you’re in ACADEC when it’s Saturday morning and your hungry eyes are devouring the French Revolution curriculum at Eisenhower High School.

The journey of ACADEC begins when the student decides to withdraw from the realm of life and enter a harsh existence of mental anguish. The ACADEC curriculum embodies many diverse subjects, including AP level Math, Art, Language and Literature, Economics, Science, SuperQuiz, and Music.

In addition to these categories, academic decathletes perform a speech, impromptu, interview, and essay. So what brave, blinded souls would venture on this perilous journey to insanity?

The Eisenhower Academic Decathlon team.

The team maintains top scoring contributors, but also has members heavily involved in other activities, such as drama, student union, football, outside jobs and much more.

With great fortune, the New Berlin Eisenhower team has the epitome of an academic decathlete in Eric Schumann. This powerhouse is a culmination of hard work, boundless mental capacity and discipline, earning him the honor of being the top scorer in the entire state of Wisconsin.

In addition the Lions have powerful and highly ranked B and C contributors. Preparation for such a tough endeavor is very delicate and precise.

After receiving stacks of binders rising from the desk to the height of the ceiling, the actualization struck me that staring at the binder with my eyes closed and breathing will not internalize the knowledge.

Studying takes the form of resource guides, in depth power guides, review cram kits, and a plethora of flash cards.

After regionals the Eisenhower team stands in third place in the state, awe struck they were beaten by Division III McFarland High School.

The realization spurns our team to find more inner motivation and achieve success at the state competition.

After all, at Eisenhower, we expect excellence.

Arif Gilani is a member of the New Berlin Eisenhower ACADEC team. This is his first article published at Preps on the Net. Gilani is a strong member of the New Berlin team; he scored a perfect 1,000 at the Regional Interview competition. Other members of the New Berlin Eisenhower ACADEC team include Michael Czubkaoski, Eric Schumann, Ian McKeechnee, Jay Olson, Tony Wang, Kimberly Prom, Melina Repinski, Eric Preuss, Jake Starsiak, and Robbie Love.