Business	Business	Business	Business	Business	Business
Accounting focuses on the elementary principles & practices of accounting for sole proprietorship, partnerships, & corporations, & includes bookkeeping terminology, the work sheet, with adjustments, income statement, balance sheet, trial balance, account classification, journalizing, posting, bank reconciliation, payroll, & other items related to the basic accounting cycle.		Computer Applications focuses on word processing speed & accuracy, computer skills in database & spreadsheet, & integration of applications. Skills tested include formatting copy, mail merge, headers/footers, editing, proofreading, spreadsheet, graphs/charts, & integration of all applications.		The Computer Science contest challenges students to gain an understanding of the significance of computers as well as the details of programming, to be alert to new technology and information, to gain an understanding of the basic principles as well as knowledge of the history and philosophy of computer science, and to foster a sense of enthusiasm about the field.
English	English	English	English	English	English
The Literary Criticism contest requires knowledge of literary history and of critical terms, and ability in literary criticism. Students are tested over material on the reading list, required to select the best answers involving judgment in literary criticism, and analyze literary passages not on the reading list. A tie-breaker is required in which the student must write a short essay dealing with a specified topic about a short literary passage.			In the Ready Writing contest, students write expository compositions. They are given a choice between two prompts, each an excerpt from literature, publications (past and present) or speeches. Expository writing explains, proves, or explores a topic in a balanced way, allowing the argument and the evidence given to be the deciding factor in the paper. The composition is judged on interest, organization and correctness.
Spelling & Vocabulary promotes precise and effective use of words. The three-part contest consists of multiple choice questions of proofreading and vocabulary and words that are written from dictation. The vocabulary-building and spelling components of the contest are important complements of the academic curriculum and are indicative of vocabulary words contained on standardized tests such as SAT, PSAT, ACT, and PLAN.			The Prose and Poetry Interpretation contests encourage the student to understand, experience, and share prose or poetry works through the art of oral interpretation. It encourages the contestant’s exploration of a variety of literary selections and to enhance the performer’s and audience’s appreciation of literature through the performer’s oral interpretation of the work.
History	History	History	History	History	History
The Current Issues & Events contest focuses on a basic knowledge of current state, national and world events and issues. “Current events” are defined as those which have occurred during the current school year. The content consists of questions which will be posed in such a way as to allow for objective grading and an essay question that all participants are required to answer.			Social Studies will center on The Gilded Age. The primary reading selection will be The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. Students will also be familiar with general knowledge social studies documents, concepts and terms.
Journalism	Journalism	Journalism	Journalism	Journalism	Journalism
The journalism program consists of news writing, feature writing, editorial writing and headline writing. The purpose is not so much to train students to become professional journalists but rather to stress critical thinking skills that will be useful in college and beyond. The contests teaches students to read critically, to digest and prioritize information quickly, and to write clearly, accurately and succinctly. It also teaches the basics of communications necessary later in life to intelligently consume information provided by the media.
Editorial Writing: Emphasis is placed on mechanical and stylistic precision, news judgment, and the ability to think deeply, to compare and contrast and to argue or defend a point of view persuasively.			Headline Writing: Emphasis is placed on the ability to discern key facts and to write with flair and style in order to tell and sell a story.
Feature Writing: Emphasis is placed on mechanical and stylistic precision, lead writing, use of direct and indirect quotes, news judgment, and the ability to write descriptively.			News Writing: Emphasis is placed on mechanical and stylistic precision, lead writing, use of direct and indirect quotes, and news judgment.
Math & Science		Math & Science		Math & Science
Calculator Applications includes calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, roots, powers, exponentiation, logarithms, trigonometric functions, and inverse trigonometric functions. In addition to straightforward calculation problems, the contest includes geometric and stated problems similar to those found in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry textbooks, as well as previous contests.			The Science contest challenges students to do a wide range of reading in biology, chemistry and physics, to gain an understanding of significance of experiments rather than to recall obscure details, to be alert to new discoveries and information in the areas of science, to gain an understanding of the basic principles as well as knowledge of the history and philosophy of science, and to foster a sense of enthusiasm about science and how it affects our daily lives.
Number Sense involves 10-minute, 80 question mental math test covering all high school mathematics courses. Shortcuts need to be developed and practiced in order to compete and finish the test.			The Mathematics contest is designed to test knowledge and understanding in the areas of algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry, math analysis, analytic geometry, pre-calculus, and elementary calculus.
Speech & Debate		Speech & Debate		Speech & Debate
Cross-Examination Debate trains students to analyze a problem, conduct through and relevant research, and utilize principles of argumentation and advocacy in orally presenting the most effective case for or against a given proposition. Debate provides invaluable training in critical thinking, quick response, defending worthy ideas and attacking invalid ides. It teaches students to tolerate other points of view. Debate exists only in democratic societies, and no democratic society can exist without debate.			Informative Speaking: The purpose of this contest is to stimulate an active interest in current affairs at the state, national and international levels, and to teach the student to present extemporaneously in a clear and impartial manner the facts about a subject as they appear in the best available sources of information. This speaking contest is an exercise in clear thinking and informing the public on the issues and concerns of the American people. The objective is to present information in an interesting way, and an attempt should not be made to change the listener’s mind beyond presenting the information.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate provides excellent training for development of skills in argumentation, persuasion, research, and audience analysis. Through this contest, students are encouraged to develop a direct and communicative style of oral delivery. LD Debate is a one-on-one argumentation in which debaters attempt to convince the judge of the acceptability of their side of a value proposition. One debater shall argue the affirmative side of the resolution, and one debater shall argue the negative side of the resolution in a given round.			Persuasive Speaking: This contest trains students to analyze a current issue, determine a point of view, and organize and deliver extemporaneously a speech that seeks to persuade listeners. The objective is to reinforce the views of listeners who already believe as the speaker does, but even more so, to bring those of neutral or opposing views around to the speaker’s beliefs or proposed course of action. This contest should especially appeal to those who have a strong argumentative urge and who wish to advocate reforms or outline solutions for current problems.
Theater	Theatre	Theater	Theatre	Theater	Theatre
	The aims of the One-Act Play Contest are to satisfy the competitive, artistic spirit with friendly rivalry among schools, emphasizing high-quality performance in this creative art; to foster appreciation of good acting, good directing and good drama; to promote interest in that art form most readily usable in leisure time during adult life; to learn to lose or win graciously, accepting in good sportsmanship the judges decision and criticism with a view to improving future productions; and *to increase the number of schools which have adopted theater arts as an academic subject in school curricula.