MacArthur High School Academic Decathlon Team Shines at State Competition

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Coach Park Van (far left) and assistant coach Stephanie Debettignies (far right, front row) pose with the MacArthur High School 2024-2025 Academic Decathlon team that competed at the state competition.

The MacArthur High School Academic Decathlon team performed excellently at the Texas Academic Decathlon State Competition, held February 28 through March 1, earning multiple individual awards and a scholarship.

For the first time in a decade, MacArthur advanced to the state level, marking a milestone for the Aldine ISD school. Guided by coach Park Van and assistant coach Stephanie Debettignies, the team competed against some of the top academic teams in Texas, bringing home several top-five finishes across multiple categories.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our students,” Van said. “This was my first time at State, and watching them compete and succeed at such a high level was an incredible experience.”

MacArthur HS Student Secures 3rd Place for Highest Overall Individual Score

Among the standout performances, Logan Haagenson-Jiménez secured third place for the highest overall individual score in the competition, earning a $1,500 scholarship. Logan also placed third in Literature and Social Science.

Other team members who placed in their respective categories included:

Varsity Division

Brandon Guzmán — 5th place in Science.
Katie Sánchez — 5th place in Literature, 1st place in Music, 1st place in Essay.

Scholastic Division

Adán Mendoza — 4th place in Science, 5th place in Essay.
Andrés Juárez — 5th place in Literature.

Honor Division

Alan Álvarez — 3rd place in Interview, 5th place in Speech.
Kealsy Rincón — 4th place in Interview.

The MacArthur Academic Decathlon team’s journey to the state competition was a testament to their dedication and hard work. Their success highlights the strength of Aldine ISD’s academic programs and the bright future for these talented students.

Read the previous story here for more on the team’s journey to state.