The Merced County Office of Education is proud of our countywide Student Events Program. County school districts and community organizations partner with the Merced County Office of Education to coordinate or sponsor our student events throughout the year.
Our events are designed to encourage achievement among TK through 12th grade students. More than 12,000 students competed or participated in our 2019-2020 events that ranged from the Symphony, Speech and Writing Festivals to the Academic Pentathlon and Decathlon and even some virtually. Some of our local competition winners have the opportunity to compete in state championships, opening a whole new world of exciting possibilities for them.
While restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have required changes to many of the student events, few have been cancelled. Many are possible in a live, virtual or hybrid format. We are excited for 2020-2021 and all the new ideas and opportunities that will come with these changes.
We would like to give a special acknowledgment to our sponsors, volunteers, teachers and coaches for their commitment and encouragement to our children and for supporting the Merced County Office of Education's Student Events.
Volunteer and Sponsorship Opportunites are available. If interested, please contact our office for more information.

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE PDF OF 20-21 CALENDAR
Contact our office for all of your student event questions. We are here to help!
We love to showcase our events and students if you would like to opt out, please complete this form.
English |
Spanish
All dates and locations are subject to change to accommodate virtual or hybrid events as needed. Emails will be sent to contact persons listed on the intent forms and participating school principals when changes are made.
Young Patriot Challenge Poster Contest (Grades K-6) Essay Contest (Grades 7 & 8) Speech Contest (Grades 9-12) Click Here for More Information Opens a New Window.
| Cancelled 20-21
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YPC has decided to cancel for this year. Please check back next year!
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Farm2U (3rd Grade) Agricultural Awareness Day Presented by The Merced County Farm Bureau MCFB Farm2U Information Page Opens a New Window.
| Cancelled 20-21
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Contact MCFB for new ideas and virtual Farm2U
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Elementary Spelling Bee (Grades 4, 5 & 6) Opens a New Window. Opens a New Window. Opens a New Window.
Junior High Spelling Bee (Grades 7 & 8) Opens a New Window.
Spelling Bee Flyer PDF Download Opens a New Window. Spelling Bee Study Suggestions PDF Download Opens a New Window.
County Competition Rules Opens a New Window. PDF Download
Spelling Bee Intent Form Opens a New Window. Elementary Spelling Bee Registration Opens a New Window. Junior High Spelling Bee Registration Opens a New Window.
CA Elementary State Spelling Bee
CA Junior High State Spelling Bee (includes word list)
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December 9, 2020
December 10, 2020
May 8, 2021
Cancelled for 2021
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2 students will zoom into COE from school site with a proctor for both events.
San Joaquin COE
Cancelled for 2021
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Poetry Out Loud (Grades 9-12) Opens a New Window. Opens a New Window. PDF Download PDF Download
Flyer Opens in New Window PDF Download For More Information please contact: Noelle Chandler, Arts Education Consultant nchandler@mcoe.org
| January 30, 2021
| Virtual
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Academic Decathlon (Grades 9-12) Opens a New Window. 2020-2021 Curriculum - The Cold War PDF Download Opens a New Window.
MCAD Scrimmage Registration Opens a New Window.
MCAD Intent Form Opens a New Window.
MCAD Competition Forms PDF Download Opens a New Window. MCAD Proctor Release Opens a New Window. (Due 1/15/21) PDF Download
MCAD 2020-2021 Information Page PDF Download Opens a New Window.
2020-2021 Outlines PDF Download Opens a New Window. MCAD Volunteer Form and Judges Reference Page PDF Download Opens a New Window.
Updated GPA Guidelines 2020-2021!!! GPA Worksheet/Information/Courses Opens a New Window. (Use CAD Sheet not USAD sheet)
Calculator Policy Opens a New Window.
Curriculum and Content Standards
Important Links: California State Decathlon Opens a New Window. (MCAD Winning Team Advances)
United States Academic Decathlon Opens a New Window.
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Round 1 Scrimmage December 5, 2020
Round 2 ONLINE Essay December 10, 2020
Round 3 January 30, 2021 Speech, Interview
February 6, 2021 Objective Tests
Super Quiz
February 9, 2021 Award Ceremony
March 15-21, 2020
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Online - Enlyght
Online - Enlyght
Online - zFairs
Online - Enlyght
Online - ZOOM
Online - ZOOM w/livestream
Virtual
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Mock Trial (Grades 9-12) Opens a New Window. PDF Download What is Mock Trial? Opens a New Window.
Mock Trial Intent Form Opens a New Window. Team Registration Opens a New Window. Excel Download (due before winter break) Team Roles Roster Opens a New Window. PDF Download (due two weeks before competition)
Merced County Rulebook Opens in New Window PDF Download (updated 10/22/19) Courtroom Artist Competition Opens a New Window. PDF Download Courtroom Journalist Competition Award Ceremony
California Mock Trial (Winning Team Advances)
PDF Download Opens a New Window. PDF Download |
Cancelled due to lack of participation
March 19-20, 2021
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Virtual Competition
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WRITING FESTIVAL (Pre-12) PDF Download Opens a New Window.
Writing Festival Intent Form Opens a New Window.
Guidelines PDF Download Opens a New Window.
Helpful Hints for Completing Forms PDF Download Opens a New Window. Please use our form and categories. Incorrect submissions risk being judged improperly or being discarded. If you have issues with the forms, please contact us.
*Digital Form is preferred for 20-21* *Writing Festival Student Entry Form - Front/Back - Digital
Word Download Opens a New Window. Writing Festival Student Entry Form - Front - pdf PDF Download Opens a New Window. Writing Festival Student Entry Form - Back - pdf PDF Download Opens a New Window.
Writing Festival Submission Page Opens a New Window. (Teacher Form) PDF Download
Writing Festival Handbook PDF Download Opens a New Window.
Writing Festival Judging Guidelines PDF Download Opens a New Window.
| March 5, 2021
Judging: March 15-19, 2021 | Deliver Entries by Deadline
Virtual Competition
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STEM Fair (TK-12) Opens a New Window. PDF Download
STEM Intent Form Opens a New Window. (due 1/29/21)
Project Data Sheet Opens a New Window. (due 2/19/21)
PDF Download Opens a New Window.
Science Fair Competition (Grades 5-12) *Qualifier for California State Science Fair (Grades 6-12)
Categories PDF Download Opens a New Window. Rules and Regulations
PDF Download Opens a New Window. Project Allowances by District (Call 209-381-5910)
California State Science Fair Opens a New Window.
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March 2/3, 2021
Projects due to zfairs by Friday, February 26, 2021
April 12-13, 2021
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Virtual - zFairs
We have purchased software to use for scoring a virtual or hybrid format. If you are interested in the software for your school site or district please contact zFairs.
Virtual Competition
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NATIONAL HISTORY DAY - Merced County (Grades 4-12)
ens a New Window.2021 Themebook-Communication in History
NHD Theme Video-Communication in History
Opens a New Window. PDF Download NHD-CA Rulebook - Includes Category Information Opens a New Window. PDF Download Opens a New Window. Judging Information - Video Opens a New Window.
For More Information: National History Day - California Opens a New Window. Merced County State Allowances to CA-NHD Opens in New Window (65 projects)
National History Day Opens a New Window.
| March 12, 2021
TBD
TBD
| Virtual Competition
Virtual Competition
Virtual Competition
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Merced Symphony Children's Virtual Concert Reservation Form
| April 1, 2021
| Virtual Release and Curriculum Packet No Charge for 2021!
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ACADEMIC PENTATHLON (Grades 6, 7 & 8) PDF Download
Academic Pentathlon Intent Form PDF Download Opens a New Window. *New School Grant Available - Contact Stacie for Info*
Proctor Release Form
PDF Download Opens a New Window. Permission/Participation Form
Please enter team lists into google form for 2021 PDF Download
NEW GPA Guidelines for 2020-2021!! Honor: 3.80-4.00 Scholastic: 3.20-3.799 Varsity 3.199 and below GPA Worksheet Opens a New Window. Excel Download
PDF Download Opens a New Window.Rules and Guidelines PDF Download 20-21 Novel Order Form Opens a New Window. PDF Download Spies: Secret Showdown Between America and Russia By Marc Favreau
Curriculum and Content Standards Opens a New Window. PDF Download
Outlines Opens in New Window PDF Download
Important Links: USAD Pentathlon Page Opens a New Window.
Academic Pentathlon Awards Ceremony
| Round 1 Scrimmage Jan-March
Round 2 April 14th Objective Testing Super Quiz - Zoom
April 24, 2021
| Virtual - Enlyght
Virtual - Enlyght
Virtual
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Elementary Speech Festival (Grades 4 & 5) PDF Download
Middle School Speech Festival (Grades 6, 7 & 8) PDF Download
PDF Download Speech Festival Intent Form Opens a New Window.
Speech Festival Registration Forms (to be completed by school)
4th grade Elementary Speech Festival Student Registration Opens a New Window. 5th grade Elementary Speech Festival Student Registration Opens a New Window. 6th grade Middle School Speech Festival Student Registration Opens a New Window. 7th grade Middle School Speech Festival Student Registration Opens a New Window. 8th grade Middle School Speech Festival Student Registration Video Submission Form (Due 4/20/21)
Opens a New Window. Video Submission Guidelines Rules, Categories and Judging Form Sample
Speech Festival Awards Ceremony PDF Download Opens a New Window. | April 20, 2021
April 21-23, 2021
April 29, 2021
| Virtual Submissions Due
Virtual Judging
Virtual Presentation
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Writing Festival Display and Awards |
May 3, 2021
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Virtual Display
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UC Merced Opera for Children (Pre-3 Only) PDF Download "Save the Dragons" Flyer PDF Download Opens a New Window. Opera for Children Registration Form Opens a New Window.
| May 17-21, 2021
| Virtual Opportunity! |
Father of the Year (TK-12) Opens a New Window. PDF Download Father of the Year Information and Form
| Essays Due April 30, 2021 Virtual Submission
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Virtual Presentation of Winners Father's Day Week on Social Media
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Stacie Arancibia email email email email email email email email email email email email email Events and Community Engagement Specialist
sarancibia@mcoe.org
Phone: (209) 381-5910
Fax: (209) 381-6774
Patty Espinoza, Staff Secretary
pespinoza@mcoe.org
Phone: (209) 381-6608
events@mcoe.org
Office: Downtown PDC, 1715 Canal Street, Merced
Mailing Address: 632 W. 13th Street, Merced CA 95341 (Attn: Stacie Arancibia or Events)
Regular Office Hours: M-F 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed for Lunch 12-1PM