Despite the barriers presented by stay-at-home orders and distance learning, the 2021 student event season in Riverside County is set to begin with all events being held virtually. Students and coaches have been preparing for months to compete at the county level and earn invitations to state and national competitions.
Some events will not have public viewing opportunities in order to protect the integrity of the competition for other county and state level competitions (Academic Decathlon, Mock Trial, Spelling Bee). Other events (History Day, Science and Engineering Fair) will feature unprecedented access to virtual viewing of exhibitions and performances.
“With so many performances and events being cancelled for our students, we are excited to find innovative ways to offer these competitions with the necessary adjustments to maintain the safety of students and staff,” said Renae Ramsey, Coordinator, for the Riverside County Office of Education. “Thankfully, students will still have an opportunity to shine at all these events.”
More details on each event will be available on specific event pages as the event dates near.
Here is a preview of the 2021 Riverside County Student Events:
ACADEMIC DECATHLON
What: Academic competition with the 2021 theme “Cold War”.
When: January 26 (Essay), January 30 (Speech/Interview), February 6 (Written Tests/Super Quiz), February 8 (Awards Ceremony).
2020 Champion: Elsinore High School (4th consecutive championship).
2021 Participants: 11 high school teams and nearly 100 students.Viewing Opportunities: Only awards ceremony on February 8, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
MOCK TRIAL
What: Fictional legal trial competition with students trying the case as members of the defense and prosecution teams. This year’s trial is People vs. Croddy with Lee Croddy, who hosts a popular YouTube channel called The Right Choice of News (RCN), being charged with aiding and abetting in the commission of first-degree burglary by another and accessory after the fact.
When: Six rounds of competition starting February 3 and ending with the finals on February 27.
2020 Champion: Poly High School defeated Valley View High School (19th overall championship).
2021 Participants: 20 high school teams and nearly 400 students.
Viewing Opportunities: Only the awards ceremony from preliminary rounds on February 20 at 2 p.m. After the national competition concludes on May 15, the Riverside County final round recording will be posted and available for public view.
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR
What: Competition featuring science and engineering projects designed, developed, and displayed by students.
When: Student project submissions from February 1-7. Project review and judging from February 8-26. Elementary awards ceremony (divisional) on March 1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Junior and senior awards ceremony (divisional) on March 2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Elementary awards ceremony (final) on March 15 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Junior and senior awards ceremony (final) on March 16 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
2021 Participants: Hundreds of students in grades 4-12 from 34 different districts—including charter and private schools.
Viewing Opportunities: Links to project viewing opportunities and awards ceremonies will be announced closer to the date of the event. Look for updated links on the Science and Engineering Fair page.
HISTORY DAY
What: A year-long educational program in which students become historians. Theme for 2021 is Communication In History: The Key To Understanding.
When: Judging window is March 4-10. Online project viewing is March 11-12. Awards ceremony is March 12 at 4 p.m.
2021 Participants: Hundreds of students from 111 schools in 10 districts, charter schools, and private schools.
Viewing Opportunities: Links to project viewing opportunities and awards ceremonies will be announced closer to the date of the event. Look for updated links on the History Day page.
SPELLING BEE
What: The traditional spelling bee will be held online for the first time. The winner from Riverside County will earn a trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
When: March 23 at 9 a.m.
2021 Participants: District and school champions from 19 districts, charters, and private schools.
Viewing Opportunities: No public viewing opportunities. Scripps prohibits live streaming of local qualifying Spelling Bees.