New year rings in with full slate of student events and competitions

provided by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools

January is the kick-off of five months of high energy, intense academic events and competitions administered by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office. From mid-January through the end of the academic year in May, thousands of students will test their knowledge and skills in a dozen language arts, history, government, mathematics, science and fine arts events based on state curriculum standards.

Winning at the county level can mean a trip to state and perhaps national venues for those who have been diligently preparing since the school year began last August.

Following is a breakdown of upcoming January and February student events administered by KCSOS.

January 25

Kern County Mock Trial Super Saturday

Kern County Superior Courts —

9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

East High School —

4:30 p.m. awards ceremony

High school teams compete in a series of mock trial rounds where students have the opportunity to participate as prosecution attorneys, defense attorneys, defendants and witnesses in a simulated case developed by the Constitutional Rights Foundation. Students acquire skills in public speaking, critical analysis and deduction.

January 28

Grand Night for Music

Bakersfield Convention Center — 7 p.m.

A concert presented by Kern County High Schools’ honor band, choir and orchestra. Students earn a place in this annual showcase of Kern County’s finest high school musicians and singers through an audition process.

February 1

Kern County Academic Decathlon

Mira Monte High School —

All day, not open to the public until 2 p.m.

Awards ceremony — 5:30 p.m.

County high school teams grouped by scholastic grade level — A, B or C — will contest the remaining seven events of this grueling 10 event test of knowledge. They will be tested in Music, Language/Literature, Art, Mathematics, Science, Economics, Essays, Speech, Interviews, and a Super Quiz. The highest scoring team represents the county at the state finals.

February 8

We the People Congressional Hearings – state finals. Sacramento, Calif.

Teams of students from high schools around California including local students will put their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution to the test during the annual “We the People” Congressional Hearings state finals.

February 22

Kern County Oral Language Festival

Stonecreek Junior High — 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Students memorize and present their interpretation of a published literary work, written by a known author. Presentations are 3-5 minutes in length with grades 4-6 and grades 7-8 competing separately. Categories of competition are: Verse Choir, Humorous Interpretation Solo, Humorous Interpretation Duo, Serious Interpretation Solo and Serious Interpretation Duo.

March 3

Honor Music Festival

Bakersfield Convention Center — 7 p.m.

Junior high and middle school students earn a place in honor band, chorus and orchestra after being selected through an audition process.

February 29

Kern County History Day

Larry E. Reider Educational Center

(2000 K St.) — 9 a.m.

History Day is an interdisciplinary program that encourages students to research and prepare papers, exhibits, posters, performances, and documentaries on an annual historical theme. Students learn to be historical detectives and sharpen their skills as writers, artists and performers.

To see the complete calendar of Kern County’s academic events visit https://kern.org/student-events/calendar/