Student Events

Resource

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An adult points a laser while students surround and watch.

Merced County Office of Education supports and oversees a variety of county-wide events for students throughout the year.

Students in Merced County have the opportunity to participate in competitions and activities designed to enrich their academic and personal growth. Whether it's competitions like Spelling Bee and History Day, or creative-centered events like Speech Festival, there is something that caters to every students' interest.

Student Events Calendar Picture lists events for 2025-2026

Student Events Catalog 2025-26

Learn more about our events, and how you can bring them to your school or district by viewing 25-26 catalog here. If you want printed copies of the catalog, please email events@mcoe.org.

Live 25-26 Calendar

We love to showcase our events and students with the press and on our social media. If you would like to opt out, please complete the following form and return to our office.

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2025-2026 Student Events

Seal of Biliteracy

The Merced County Seal of Biliteracy, marked by a gold seal on the diploma or transcript, recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English.

Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions are provided to students in preschool through middle school by districts on the path to developing biliteracy.

Spelling Bee - Qualify for CA State Bee

The Merced County Spelling Bee is a written competition where Elementary and Junior High students challenge their peers to become the best speller. Top spellers for both the Elementary and Junior High portion of the competition are eligible to compete in the California State Spelling Bee. This bee is not affiliated with the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Please see below for the Merced County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee.

Elementary Spelling Bee (Grades 4, 5 & 6)

December 9, 2025 – MCOE Downtown Center, 1715 Canal Street, Merced

Junior High Spelling Bee (Grades 7 & 8)

December 10, 2025– MCOE Downtown Center, 1715 Canal Street, Merced

State Spelling Bee

April 25, 2026 – San Joaquin COE

Poetry Out Loud

Poetry Out Loud inspires high school students to discover and appreciate poetry through a combination of memorization, performance and competition. The POL program begins with classroom and school-wide competitions, with winners advancing to county, state and national competitions.

Grades 9-12

January 24, 2026

For More Information please contact:
Noelle Chandler, Arts Program Specialist
nchandler@mcoe.org

www.capoetryoutloud.org

Academic Decathlon

Merced County Academic Decathlon (MCAD) is a county-wide competition designed to test high school students’ knowledge in math, science, social science, music, art, economics and literature. Students will also write an essay, prepare a speech and interview with the judges. The MCAD helps develop academic excellence, teamwork and leadership skills.

Grades 9-12

Round 1

State Scrimmage: Nov 1-December 6 (optional, school pays CAD per student, MCAD pays the $50 online school fee)
MCAD Scrimmage & Online Essay: December 4-6, 2025 (Scrimmage Optional, Essay Required)
Objective Testing: January 27, 2026 - Online
Speech/SPIN/SQ/Awards: February 7, 2026 – In-Person

2025-2026 Theme: The Roaring 20's

Writing Festival

Created by local teachers, the writing festival celebrates student writing with over 40 categories. Awards are given by grade and category and a gold medal for the top two entries is awarded in each grade.

Entries due Feburary 27, 2026 by 4PM

WRITING FESTIVAL (Pre-12)

Writing Festival Intent Form

Writing Festival Handbook

Writing Festival Student Entry Form - Digital
No paper submissions will be accepted. This digital form replaces the previous front and back entry forms.

Writing Festival Submission Page (Teacher Form)

Writing Festival Judging Guidelines

Award Display 24-25 (previous years also available on history page)

Merced Symphony Children's Concert

The Merced Symphony Children’s Concert is an interactive music performance for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students designed to introduce students to the world of music. The performance includes a mix of classical and contemporary music, as well as interactive elements such as sing-alongs and opportunities for children to try musical instruments.

Grades 3-5

Merced Concerts: Use Reservation Form below. Contact MCOE for questions.

Los Banos Concert: Contact LBUSD for reservations and dates.

Reservation Form

Concert Flyer

Scripps Regional Spelling Bee - Qualify for Scripps National Bee

This bee will be in addition to the CA qualifier that we hold in December. Schools must register separately for each one. The Merced County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee will be held March 28, 2026 and will be an oral spelling bee.

One student will qualify for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Flyer

Schools must register with Scripps and MCOE. Scripps will provide all study and additional practice materials.

Scripps School Registration - $199 per school (will receive all study materials from Scripps)

MCOE Intent Registration - $150 per school (can send two students)

MCOE Student Registration - Coming Soon (due 2/7/2026)

STEAM Fair

The Merced County STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Fair allows students to showcase their Science and Engineering Projects in a competition to qualify for the California Science and Engineering Fair. The Fair partners with UC Merced Labs and Scientists and Artists from the community and MCOE to offer presentations and hands-on experiences.

STEAM Fair (Grades 5-12)

STEAM Fair Intent Form

Project Data Sheet

Science Fair Competition (Grades 5-12)
*Qualifier for California Science & Engineering Fair (6-12 only)

STEAM Packet - Rules

STEAM Fair Rubrics

California State Science & Engineering Fair - April 11 & 12 (exact location is TBD, but it is always in Southern CA)

National History Day

History Day is a year-long educational program that encourages students to explore local, state, national, and world history.

Merced County History Day (Grades 4-12) - February 26-27, 2026

Merced County History Day Slidedeck
History Day Intent Form

History Day Theme - "Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History"
2026 NHD Theme Introduction Video

Rulebooks

Judging Information - Video

For More Information:
Merced County State Allowances to CA-NHD

Important CA-NHD Dates

March 5, 2026 - Registration Open

January 30, 2026 - Project & Written Materials Deadline

May 1-3, 2026 - NHD-CA State Contest - CSU Sacramento

Academic Pentathlon

Schools field teams of up to twelve members divided into three divisions based on GPA. Students compete in a series of 5 academic tests and demonstrations, including fine art (visual and musical), literature, math, science, social science, and a Super Quiz. Team and individual awards are presented.

Objective Testing Window - March 23-25, 2026 - Online from School Sites

ACADEMIC PENTATHLON FLYER (Grades 6, 7 & 8)

Academic Pentathlon Intent Form
*New Schools Only Grant Available - Contact Stacie for Info*

Proctor Release Form - Scrimmage
Proctor Release Form - Official Tests

Pentathlon Information Packet & Rules

Permission/Participation Form

NEW GPA Guidelines for 2025-2026 (use new worksheet below for previous school year report to calculate division)
Honor: 3.85+
Scholastic: 3.30-3.84
Varsity 3.299 and below

Accepted Courses
GPA Worksheet NEW FOR 25-26

25-26 Novel Order Form

Curriculum and Content Standards

Outlines

Important Links:
USAD Pentathlon Page

Academic Pentathlon Super Quiz and Awards Ceremony - Saturday, April 18, 2026

Speech Festival

Part of a countywide program that starts at the school level, each school can send up to 3 students per grade to represent their site. Speeches must be the original work of the student and must follow the categories of Persuasive, Tall Tale, Legend, or Fable.

Elementary Speech Festival (Grades 4 & 5)

Middle School Speech Festival (Grades 6, 7 & 8)

Speech Flyer

Speech Festival Intent Form

Speech Festival Registration Forms (name registration)

4th Grade Registration

5th Grade Registration

6th Grade Registration

7th Grade Registration

8th Grade Registration

Rules, Categories and Judging Form Sample

Speech Festival Awards Ceremony - Thursday, April 29, 2026 - 6PM, MCOE Downtown Center 1715 Canal Street

UC Merced Opera for Children

The UC Merced English and Arts Department produced opera introduces students in preschool through 3rd grade to the world of opera. Performances including popular music and valuable lessons. It is a valuable event that helps students develop an appreciation for classical music and the performing arts.

Grades Pre-3rd

May 19-22 2026 - UC Merced Lakireddy Auditorium

Father of the Year

Office: MCOE Downtown Center, 1715 Canal Street, Merced
Mailing Address: 632 W. 13th Street, Merced CA 95341 (Attn: Stacie Arancibia or Events)

CONTACT

Stacie Arancibia

Events and Community Engagement
(209) 381-5910

events@mcoe.org

Patty Espinoza

Staff Secretary
(209) 381-6608

Student Events

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