OVERVIEW
Begun in the 1970's, Gordon College's Academic Contest is an annual competitive event hosted by the college for Georgia High School Association members in our service area. Traditionally, the Contest occurs during the third or fourth week in October, with A, AA, and AAA participating on Tuesday and AAAA and AAAAA on Thursday. Members of the Gordon College faculty create, administer, and score/judge the competitions, while also functioning as department coordinators and hosts. One faculty member coordinates the entire event.
Schools compete individually and as teams in a variety of subject areas and performance arts. In certain areas of competition, individual winners gain points for first, second, and third place. In certain areas of competition, team winners receive points for first, second, and third place for their schools. Some competitions are both individual and team contests.
Students with the highest individual points in the Humanities, Mathematics/Sciences, and Social Sciences areas also compete in the College Bowl.
At the day's end, all points are tallied, and the grand winner is announced.
Below is a brief overview of each area of competition. See the individual contest links for specific rules and regulations.
Art
Prior to the contest, nominated students submit an art portfolio. On the day of the contest, there is an art workshop to which all nominated students are invited though not required to attend. This is an individual competition, which is judged prior to the contest date.
Creative Writing: Prose & Poetry
Prior to the contest days, nominated students submit an entry of prose work or poetry. On the day of the contest, there is a creative writing workshop to which all nominated students are invited though not required to attend. This is an individual competition.
Health Occupations
On the day of the contest, nominated students will take a written examination. This is an individual competition, with a team score achieved by adding up the individual scores.
Humanities
On the day of the contest, nominated students will take a written examination. This is an individual competition, with a team score achieved by adding up the individual scores. The top three individual winners in this area compete in the College Bowl.
Math
On the day of the contest, nominated students will take a written examination. This is an individual competition, with a team score achieved by adding up the individual scores. The top three individual winners in this area compete in the College Bowl.
Music
On the day of the contest, nominated students will compete in areas of piano, male vocal, and female vocal. This is an individual competition, with winners declared in all three areas of competition.
Science
On the day of the contest, nominated students will take a written examination. This is an individual competition, with a team score achieved by adding up the individual scores. The top three individual winners in this area compete in the College Bowl.
Social Science
On the day of the contest, nominated students will take a written examination. This is an individual competition, with a team score achieved by adding up the individual scores. The top three individual winners in this area compete in the College Bowl.
Theatre
On the day of the contest, nominated students will perform a monologue from a published play. This is an individual competition.