MADERA COUNTY, CA – The 2026 Madera County Academic Pentathlon culminated with the Super Quiz and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 7 naming Wasuma Elementary School this year’s champion team.
Nearly 130 students participated in this five-event academic competition, held on February 27 and March 7. Students competed in the areas of essay, fine arts, literature, science, and social science. This year’s topic was “The Roaring Twenties.”
Sherman Thomas STEM Academy came in second place and Mountain Home School Charter placed third. Coarsegold Elementary also had students participating and 3 received medals.
“The Pentathlon highlights the incredible talent and determination of our middle school students,” said Tricia Protzman, Madera County Superintendent of Schools. “Their preparation, teamwork, and enthusiasm reflect the strong academic culture we are proud to foster in Madera County.”
Wasuma Elementary School earned first place in the Super Quiz followed by Sherman Thomas STEM Academy, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School placed third. The Super Quiz is the only event open to the public, giving spectators a chance to watch the teams compete live.
This year teams consisted of a combination of 7th and 8th grade students. Individual medals for each subject were handed out based on grade level. Each team consisted of up to 25 students. Students had to compete in all five events to earn medals. Teams received materials and started practicing in September.
“This event is about more than medals or rankings,” said Protzman. “It’s about building confidence, strengthening academic skills, and inspiring students to push beyond what they thought possible. Our Pentathletes rose to that challenge in every way.”
Additional participating teams included: Coarsegold Elementary, Eastin-Arcola Elementary, Hillside Elementary, La Vina Elementary, Jack G. Desmond Middle, Ranchos Middle and Thomas Jefferson Middle Schools.
The Academic Pentathlon is sponsored by Madera County Superintendent of Schools and the Madera County Schools Foundation and supported by community donations, including Educational Employees Credit Union.
Wasuma’s 1st Place Team
Team members include: Hadley Abbott, Ian Alaniz, Asher Ausley, Ariel Barker, Dominic Garcia, Hosea Glauner, Brinley Lundquist, Emilia Mannara-Keeney, Ryan Reyes, Sofia Ruiz, Jayden Shapiro, Athena Sischo, Paige Stanfill. Coached by Rebecca Ahmadi and Donna Springer.
Mountain Home’s 3rd Place Team
Team members include: Bonnie Bodycomb, Anadel Burrow, Darian “Kova” Crump, Isla Hays, Finn Maire, Trey Schiavon. Coached by Kim Meeks.
Wasuma’s Sofia Ruiz
Sofia Ruiz shows off her five medals. She earned a medal in all five events.
Here is a complete list of award recipients…
Essay
7th Grade
Gold: Sofia Ruiz, Wasuma Elementary School
Silver: Layla Badr, Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School
Bronze: Chelsea Vega, Sherman Thomas STEM Academy
4th: Jessiah Arguello, Ranchos Middle School
8th Grade
Gold: Bryanna Richards, Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School
Silver: Ariel Barker, Wasuma Elementary School
Bronze: Akaar Bains, Sherman Thomas STEM Academy
4th: Athena Sischo, Wasuma Elementary School
Fine Arts
7th Grade
Gold: Isla Hays, Mountain Home School Charter
Silver: Bonnie Bodycomb, Mountain Home School Charter
Silver: Anadel Burrow, Mountain Home School Charter
Silver: Sofia Ruiz, Wasuma Elementary School
Bronze: Jaxon Patzkowsky, Coarsegold Elementary School
4th: Nicholas Gonzalez, Jack G. Desmond Middle School
8th Grade
Gold: Ariel Barker, Wasuma Elementary School
Gold: Athena Sischo, Wasuma Elementary School
Silver: Akaar Bains, Sherman Thomas STEM Academy
Bronze: Deklan Bispham, Sherman Thomas STEM Academy
4th: Bryanna Richards, Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School
Literature
7th Grade
Gold: Audrey Herbert, Hillside Elementary School
Silver: Isla Hays, Mountain Home School Charter
Bronze: Sofia Ruiz, Wasuma Elementary School
4th: Sara Enrique-Cervantes, Sherman Thomas STEM Academy
8th Grade
Gold: Athena Sischo, Wasuma Elementary School
Silver: Ariel Barker, Wasuma Elementary School
Bronze: Hosea Glauner, Wasuma Elementary School
4th: Bryanna Richards, Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School
Science
7th Grade
Gold: Audrey Herbert, Hillside Elementary School
Silver: Rodrigo Flores, Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School
Bronze: Bonnie Bodycomb, Mountain Home School Charter
Bronze: Dominic Garcia, Wasuma Elementary School
Bronze: Nicholas Gonzalez, Jack G. Desmond Middle School
Bronze: Esteban Ledezma Flores, Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Bronze: Sofia Ruiz, Wasuma Elementary School
4th: Anadel Burrow, Mountain Home School Charter
4th: Fox Morley, Coarsegold Elementary School
4th: Alexa Romero, Sherman Thomas STEM Academy
4th: Chelsea Vega, Sherman Thomas STEM Academy
8th Grade
Gold: Athena Sischo, Wasuma Elementary School
Silver: Deklan Bispham, Sherman Thomas STEM Academy
Bronze: Akaar Bains, Sherman Thomas STEM Academy
Bronze: Jayden Shapiro, Wasuma Elementary School
4th: Finn Maire, Mountain Home School Charter
4th: Genevieve Newland, Ranchos Middle School
Social Science
7th Grade
Gold: Audrey Herbert, Hillside Elementary School
Silver: Anadel Burrow, Mountain Home School Charter
Bronze: Jessiah Arguello, Ranchos Middle School
Bronze: Brinley Lundquist, Wasuma Elementary School
4th: Sofia Ruiz, Wasuma Elementary School
8th Grade
Gold: Akaar Bains, Sherman Thomas STEM Academy
Silver: Athena Sischo, Wasuma Elementary School
Bronze: Ariel Barker, Wasuma Elementary School
4th: Delilah Garcia, Coarsegold Elementary School
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