LUCASVILLE-Valley High School’s Academic Competition team, led by Coach Justin Howard, won the title of 2022-23 ESC Academic Competition League Champions, with just one loss this season. The Wheelersburg High School team, led by Coach Brian Oakes, won the Runner-Up title.

League competitions took place from September through December at the South Central Ohio Educational Service Center (ESC), in New Boston. “I’m very proud of this team. The competition is tough and our goal each year is to do our best to compete. We work hard in practice each week and in the classroom. Our success this year is a reflection of that work and it means a lot to us. We have a great group of seniors whose enthusiasm really helped us strive to succeed throughout the whole season.” Coach Justin Howard said. “We’re looking forward to competing again at Shawnee State in March.”

Each year ESC Gifted Services Coordinator, Sharee Price, oversees Academic Competitions, using the Ohio Academic Competition format. The purpose of this competition is to encourage higher-order thinking, recognize outstanding achievement, and promote academic excellence among participating high school students.

Approximately 112 students participated in High School Academic Competitions this school year. Participating districts included Clay, Green, Minford, New Boston, Northwest, Notre Dame, Oak Hill, Portsmouth, Scioto County Career and Technical Center, Sciotoville Community, South Webster, Valley, West, and Wheelersburg.

The Southern Ohio Academic Competition Tournament will take place at Shawnee State University on March 2, 2023. Tournament winners will advance to the 39th annual OAC Regional Competition on April 15, 2023 at Fisher Catholic High School in Lancaster, Ohio. League winner Valley High School, along with Tournament winners, will advance to the Regional Competition. Teams that win at Regional Competition will advance to the State Competition in Columbus on May 6, 2023.