STEPHANIE BERTHOLDO/Simi Acorn SMART KIDS-The Simi Valley Academic Decathlon team celebrates after winning the county competition last month. The six-boy and three-girl team is preparing for the state finals next week.

The pressure is on.

The Simi Valley High School Academic Decathlon team has been hitting the books for about 40 hours per week in preparation for the state competition beginning March 12 in Sacramento.

Since closing the books on their opponents with a score of 47,560 out of a possible 60,000 at the 2004 Ventura County Academic Decathlon competition on Feb. 8, the Simi team members have become bleary-eyed from their studying, but they’ve managed to maintain a light-hearted approach to the marathon skull sessions.

The nine-member team is coached by Debbi Mjoen, who plans on retiring as the school’s Academic Decathlon coach after this year and returning to her duties as an Engilsh teacher.

For now, Mjoen and each "AcaDeca" team member is focused on preparing for the state competition.

In addition to trying to learn everything they can about the Lewis and Clark Expedition—the theme for the upcoming Super Quiz—the students are perfecting essay writing and speaking skills. They’re also studying language, literature, music, economics, science, art and math.

The six boys and three girls on the team are sacrificing sleep, food and normal teenage fun for the dream of capturing the California Academic Decathlon championship title next week and the national title in April, but they say their strong friendship is helping to keep spirits high.

"Our social life and our family, it’s all right here," team member Stephen Hampton said.

"Mrs. Mjoen is our mother," he pointed out.

Keeping up with normal classes while getting ready for the competition has been a challenge for the students.

According to senior Jessi Pinkston, the teachers in their other courses—many of which are advanced placement—are being very accommodating to the team. "They’re not demanding a lot from us right now," she said.

"If we get any leeway at all, we still have to make up the work," team member D.J. Arnold said.

"Some of us just take the hit," added Aroon Karra.

All of the students on the Simi team are seniors and most share several classes.

Mjoen has been coaching Simi Valley High School’s Academic Decathlon for three years and says several students have been participating on the team since their sophomore year.

"I offered them cookies one day in the library, and they all showed up," Mjoen explained.

Mjoen says her work with the Academic Decathlon team has left her scrambling for time.

"I’m about 150 essays behind," she fretted.

Although the school supports the team’s efforts and the teachers try to be understanding, sacrifices still have to be made. Arnold decided to leave the speech and debate team, while Randi Peeler and Scott Meininger chose to resign as editors of the school newspaper.

Although Karra had to give up varsity tennis and chorus, he has managed to keep the lead in the school musical.

"He’s learning his lines in his sleep," Mjoen joked.

The team can be found studying at school every day from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Coach Mjoen remains right by their side.