United States Academic Decathlon

We celebrate Dr. Alice Hamilton this Women's History Month. Her work resulted in significant advancements in occupational safety affecting the health and lives of all workers.

If you are a coach, former decathlete, or fan of the program; please reach out to volunteer to be an online Interview Judge for USAD Nationals on April 9! We need your generosity and kindness to give these decathletes an amazing experience!

Today we recognize International Women's Day and the important contributions of all women to our society. We will also be celebrating this Women's History Month by highlighting some of the lesser known influential women of the 1920s.

USAD is excited to announce the 2026-2027 Theme! Journeys of Transformation: An Exploration of Travel and Transportation. Outlines for the new topic will be released in April.

As a teenager, Granville T. Woods taught himself electrical engineering while working railroad jobs, studying manuals by lamplight after long shifts. With little formal schooling, he earned dozens of patents that helped electrify cities.

So what's your final guess? Go on the record and see if you're right this weekend. Topic will be announced Sunday March 1!

While you're dissecting this text for any additional clues or hints salmon, here's a question: Would you listen to a yearly USAD podcast of topic experts, decathletes, coaches, etc?

We celebrate Maggie Lena Walker today! As a teenager, Walker helped her mother with laundry work after her stepfather’s death, learning discipline and self-reliance early. Her lessons from poverty drove her to help Black families build savings, homes, and lasting security.

There's no need to zoom in, hold the clues up to the light, or treat with lemon juice and a hair dryer. The clues are the clues, no hidden messages. (That's what they want you to think!)

If you have a teammate you'd like to nominate, you can find more information at usad.org.

First Clue! Let the wild, indiscriminate guessing begin!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Join us in celebrating Ernest Just. As a young student in South Carolina, Just excelled so completely that his teachers urged him toward science despite limited opportunities for Black scholars. By his early 30s, he was producing world-class cell biology research.

Everyone ready for next year's theme clues? What do you think it will be? Clues will start dropping February 16

We celebrate A. Philip Randolph, an important figure during the 1920s. As a teenager in Florida, Randolph watched his father stand armed at their door to protect a jailed Black man from a lynch mob. That lesson in courage shaped him and informed his leadership.

Thank you @GoldenFHSEagles and @GoldenFHScheer for inviting our Academic Decathlon team to today’s pep rally, celebrating the hard work of this bunch. #StateBound @AcadecTx @USAD_Main 📚 📖 ✏️ 💻

Congrats to Gavin Clark from Oakwood High in Ohio for designing this year's USAD National's logo. Mr. Clark's logo will be featured on all promotional materials, signage, and USAD Nationals gear. We celebrate Gavin's creativity and dedication to Academic Decathlon!

Arizona Academic Decathlon is in dire need of judges for their competition in Mesa, AZ this weekend. If you're available, please reach out to Sarah Morris sarah@azacadec.org Your help will ensure students get the best possible experience

There are only 5 days left to submit to the USAD Participant Survey. We encourage everyone involved with Academic Decathlon to submit their thoughts. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

Honor MLK by carrying his teachings with you every day. Pursue justice, lead with love and forgiveness, and build your character and the character of your community.