There are multiple clubs and sports teams at THS, allowing students in grade levels 9-12th to join if they have good academics and parent permission. The Academic Competition for Excellence (ACE) Team gives students an opportunity for competition based on their knowledge. Competing with others is difficult but ACE always has good sportsmanship towards others. Competitions are held all over Piedmont District Schools with the given chance to move on to States and Regionals. Each year competitions begin in October and end in January. ACE offers the opportunity to compete at both JV and Varsity levels.
Freshman Michael Dong joined ACE at the beginning of the school year. “I joined ACE to try something new and to be more involved at THS,” Dong said. As this is Dong’s first year of ACE, he does see himself joining his sophomore year also. “I have learned alot from being in this club but mainly that the questions are challenging,” Dong said. The ACE team practices like an actual sport, so they will always be prepared for their meets. “My favorite thing about ACE is that no one is judged no matter what,” Dong said.
Senior Hallie Holt tried ACE because Mrs. Kirby started coaching and asked her to join. “I said of course I will join,” Holt said. Holt joined ACE at the start of this year but she had no idea what it was before.
Some students are very thankful for ACE because it allows them to feel more recognized. “ACE is really an amazing sport for people who feel more academically inclined. It is really hard to find a place to fit in during high school and ACE has been really good for me. I love so many of my team members, and I have definitely made friends with people I wouldn’t have otherwise,” Holt said.
Every player of ACE seems to enjoy it and they are happy to be more involved. “My favorite thing about ACE is probably the practices because I love literature and that is my ‘speciality’ for the team and the practices are so much fun because I get to answer questions without being nervous like at meets. Also, Mrs. Kirby normally reads the questions at practice, and it is so funny to hear her try to pronounce things that aren’t science words,” Holt said.
Students who feel more academically inclined take this sport as a huge blessing. They are finally given the opportunity to be in a sport that still involves thinking. THS is happy to give each person a chance to feel involved.
