The Taylor High School Academic Decathlon team finished the school year ranked third in Texas and third in the United States. Long known for their high achievements, the current team and their coach, Vicki Rowe, recently took a moment to reflect on their national ranking, and the long-standing tradition of success that continues today.
“I was the first to know (the results) because I had shown up in the morning for an AP test, and Mrs. Rowe had texted me and said she would be there and she had something to talk to me about,” said team member Jaden Rush. “I was obviously very nervous because I thought we had performed badly. But when I showed up, she was waiting outside the library for me with a massive smile on her face and she told me we had placed third at nationals. It was a great feeling.”
The topic for this year’s competition was The American Revolution and the Founding of the Nation. The local scholars had thought their season was over after bringing home the state bronze medal. Then AcDec officials notified them that their scores actually qualified them for national competition, and the close-knit group began preparing for their next big win.
When asked about their secret for success, team members shared favorite memories of close friendships, intense study, and food inspired practices at Rowe’s house.
“The practices at Mrs.
Rowe’s were really good for team bonding,” said Lluvia Allen-Correa. “We would all huddle together and read parts of our curriculum, go over questions that we might think about, and we might go over speeches together. It was super great at forming the team and getting everyone really comfortable with each other.”
Scholars recalled Rowe’s cooking as an effective incentive to attend every practice, citing vegan lasagna and crack chicken among their favorites.
“I’ve always heard about the legendary food that Mrs. Rowe serves at her practices,” said Anna McCulloch. “I finally made the team my senior year and the food was amazing. I love her food and I love her cooking, but I loved the idea that this is the food that the ACDEC team eats.”
Rowe describes winning the regional gold medal early in the season as a pivotal success for the team, ending Bandara’s six-year winning streak and providing the Taylor scholars with serious goals for state competition. She also credits the team’s dedication as a significant factor to this year’s overall success.
“They were willing to put in long practices and dedicate their time to truly reading and studying,” said Rowe. “Some of my seniors also stayed during eighth period, which they had off, in order to also attend the after-school practices. They were spending numerous hours at practice each day before and after school, weekends, and during their vacation time readying themselves for competition. Their willingness to learn this particularly difficult curriculum is testimony to their perseverance, and I am so proud of them for enduring through the rigor of preparing for national competition.”
Rowe’s furry canine friend Tessa became an honorary member of the team, providing emotional support during the highly focused practices.
“Tessa definitely misses all of the attention she received from this year’s team members,” said Rowe. “The scholars shared so many beautiful and touching photos of her, some with them in the photos and others that just captured her happiness being with them. Many weekend days and some nights, Tessa still sits looking at the front door waiting for them to arrive. Tessa is our team’s loyal mascot, a position that she holds dear, I am sure.”
While scholars agree that Tessa played a valuable role in preparing the team for success, they credit Rowe for developing them into the nationally recognized team they are today.
“Taylor Academic Decathlon would not be a thing if it wasn’t for Mrs.
Rowe,” said Talavera. “I want to give a big huge tremendous shout-out on behalf of all of us to Mrs.
Rowe. She really is like the motor of our team.
We are all the little parts, but she’s the motor that keeps the whole team running.”
Rowe’s pride in her scholars is evident as she talks about the team’s success, their hard work, and the reputation they have earned throughout the state.
“We ended Bandera’s six-year winning streak,” said Rowe. “Prior to that, our team was the one to beat for so many. Even through those last six years, our team retained the respect of other teams across the state, and I take great pride in our school’s reputation in Texas Academic Decathlon. We are always “a force to be reckoned with.”
