Student Events
For more than 35 years Madera County Superintendent of Schools and Madera County Schools Foundation has sponsored various student academic events to challenge students to use their minds in a wide variety of settings. The students competing in these programs are enrolled in grades K-12. The programs are designed to take notice of the excellent and creative elementary, junior and senior high school programs offered in the schools of Madera County.
The purposes for these competitions are to recognize and reward students for academic success and to promote the value of learning. Our students are encouraged to study in the areas of art, mathematics, science, written and oral communication, logical thinking, problem solving, and current events, in order to acquire knowledge and to develop into educated community leaders.
Madera County Superintendent of Schools' student events are generously supported by the businesses and the residents of Madera County.
Kristi Winter
Coordinator, Student Events
559-662-3873
kwinter@mcsos.org
559-662-3878
Coordinator, Student Events
559-662-3873
kwinter@mcsos.org
Kimberly Vass
Program Administrative Assistant, Special Events559-662-3878
A special thank you to all of our student events sponsors. Without your generous support, these events would not be possible. Now accepting donations for the 2024-25 events! This is a listing for the 2024-25 school year as of January 15, 2025.
Superintendent's Circle ($10,000 and above)
Educational Employees Credit Union
Platinum Sponsor ($5,000-$9,999)
Madera County Compact
Silver Medal ($1,000-$2,499)
Camerena Health
| Bronze Medal ($500-$999) |
| Chowchilla Rotary Club |
| Fitzgerald, Alvarez and Ciummo, PLC |
| Friend of Student Events |
| Kathleen Lopes |
| Madera Family Medical Group |
| Madera County Superintendent of Schools Leadership Team |
| Scott and Dianna Marsh |
| Pistoresi Ambulance |
| Torch Bearer ($250-$499) |
| Steve Barsotti |
| Creative Leadership Associates |
| Dan and Janet Grossnicklaus |
| Ingraham Trophies |
| Dr. Cecilia Massetti |
| Plaza Flower Shop |
| Dan and Nancy Prosperi |
| Retired Teachers Assoc. Madera #79 |
| Tom and Sara Robison |
| Soroptimist International of Madera |
| Will Gill & Sons |
| Friend ($249 and below) |
| Bruce and Jennie Alameida |
| Bruce and Mary Blair |
| Daniel Bonilla |
| David and Cathie Bustos |
| Art Davis |
| Dr. Sally Frazier |
| Friends of Student Events |
| Conrad and Leslie Gaunt |
| Tanya Hill |
| Cheryl A. Lara |
| Latinas Unidas de Madera |
| Ernie and Susie LiCalsi |
| Gary and Karan Long |
| Mariposa-Madera County ACSA |
| Madera County Cattlewomen |
| Fred and Diane Massetti |
| Midland Tractor |
| Shirley Moore |
| Dr. Julia O'Kane |
| Susan Pennell |
| Tricia and Rocky Protzman |
| Purl's Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning |
| Mitchell and Nancy Rigby |
| Kathie Rossi |
| Betty Scalise |
| Alfred Soares, Jr. |
| Douglas and Tamara Treisman |
| Steve and Marisol Verduzco |
| Joe and Pat Vived |
| Doug and Susie Waltner |
| In-Kind |
| Madera County Superior Court |
| Movies Madera |
| The Kraft Heinz Company |
Battle of the books
Battle of the books![]()
Battle of the books
Battle of the Books is an event for 3rd - 6th grade students in Madera County that's held yearly in December.
Students are given a list of books to read for 3rd-4th grade level and 5th-6th grade level. Each competition includes up to five students working together to answer questions based on the selected 20-book list.
After all competitions are scored, a Grand Challenge competition is held between the top two teams in each grade-level. The winner of the Grand Challenge is named champion for their grade-level. An awards ceremony is held immediately following the Grand Challenge with trophys and medals for 1st-3rd place winners.
For more information please email Kristi Winter, Coordinator, or Kim Vass, Assistant Student Events, or call 559-662-6051 and ask for Student Events.
Academic Decathlon
Academic Decathlon![]()
Academic Decathlon
The Academic Decathlon is a high school competition challenging students in 10 areas of study. Seven of the events are multiple-choice tests: art, economics, math, music, language and literature, science and social science. This year’s required novel for the literature test is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Students will also write an essay online prior to the event. Students will have a chance to deliver a prepared speech on the topic of their choice and an impromptu speech from a list of topics. In addition, students will go through a mock interview before a panel of judges.
The Super Quiz will begin at 12:00 p.m. followed by lunch at 1:00 p.m. on February 7, 2026. The awards ceremony will begin at 1:45 p.m. Parents, school administrators, and community members are invited to attend.
For more information please email Kristi Winter, Coordinator, or Kim Vass, Assistant Student Events, or call 559-662-6051 and ask for Student Events
Academic
pENTATHLON
Academic pENTATHLON![]()
Academic
pENTATHLON
The Academic Pentathlon is a middle school event consisting of five subject areas: fine arts, essay, literature, science and social science. This year’s topic is “The Roaring Twenties.”
In late February, students will be given 40 minutes to write an essay and 30 minutes to complete the literature test online on their school campus.
On Saturday, March 7, students will compete in three multiple choice tests in the remaining subject areas: fine arts, science, and social science. They will also participate in the Super Quiz, which will incorporate questions from all subject areas, in front of an audience. The Super Quiz begins at 11:15 a.m. with the awards ceremony beginning at 12:45 p.m.at Ranchos Middle School. The public is invited to attend.
For more information please email Kristi Winter, Coordinator, or Kim Vass, Assistant Student Events, or call 559-662-6051 and ask for Student Events.
