Two academic decathletes win top statewide honors
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Two Moorpark High School students will be among the 177 top students in California to receive recognition for their scholastic achievements at the inaugural Governor's Academic Achievement Awards March 11.

Senior John Grasel and junior Kris Sankaran were selected for the honor by Charles Weis, superintendent of the Ventura County Office of Education.

The two local students won top scores at the county academic decathlon in February, and they maintain high grades in all their classes.

"Both of them will be at the decathlon championship, and they'll stay over for an extra two days to receive recognition from the governor," Weis said. This is the first time that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has done this, he said.

Weis has known Grasel for many years because the local student and the superintendent's son were in the same Moorpark Cub Scout troop when they were young.

Grasel has since attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He has a 4.3 grade-point average, and his SAT scores were very high, Weis said.

"He's a just a top kid and will be very successful in life. It's a nice credit to us that he's a Ventura County student," Weis said.

Grasel said he's thankful for the recognition. "Amidst all the budget cuts, it's great that some academic achievers across the state are recognized," he said.

The Moorpark High senior is interested in physics and economics, and he hopes to find a career that blends both subjects.

He's now waiting to hear back from several top tier universities and plans to first major in physics. Grasel said he would like to begin his professional career at a place like the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and then move into management.

The young man credits his accomplishments to hard work and the right state of mind.

"It's really just about who you think you are. If you imagine yourself capable of doing anything and take on challenges, you realize how much you can do and focus your efforts on those things you really want," he said.

Both Grasel and Sankaran play musical instruments, and they are members of the Moorpark High School Future Business Leaders of America.

According to Weis, "Sankaran also is a very bright kid." He is No. 1 in his 11thgrade glass and has a 4.8 GPA. "This means he takes almost all honors and advance placement classes and has A's in most of his classes," Weis said.

Based on his SAT II scores, Sankaran is an expert in math and biology. "He got a perfect score of 800 for both of these subjects," said the superintendent.

Sankaran said, "I'm always looking toward the future and try to do better tomorrow," adding that he's most interested in biology because it's the science of life.

The MHS junior joined the Academic Decathlon team this year because he enjoys challenges and team effort. "Studying with other people makes it so much more fun," he said.