Bakersfield, CA — September 22, 2026 — Stockdale High School’s Academic Decathlon Team, the winning-most team in Kern County history, was one of 12 teams to receive the Kindness is Free award for their performance at the state competition held in Santa Clara in March 2026. Stockdale High School's Academic Decathlon Team finished as one of the top three overall teams in its division, earning it the Kindness Is Free $1,000 Award. On Wednesday, September 16th, Scott Ehlers and Josue Arias from the Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel and Eastside came to the Stockdale Library to present the Acadec Team with a plaque and a $1,000 check.
“We are so honored that our hard work and dedication have been recognized by this wonderful organization,” said Gaby Scully, longtime coach. “This team, in particular, is one of the kindest, most fun group of kids I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. It’s really fitting that this group is the one who was given this incredibly generous gift.”
The Kindness Is Free $1,000 Award was created to recognize and encourage excellence, teamwork, character, and the positive spirit that Academic Decathlon represents. The donation was made by the Kindness Is Free Organization, a program designed to foster a sense of inclusivity and respect among kids and teens.
The organization’s objective is to inspire participants to do something kind in both words and actions, and to practice empathy daily. To that end, they chose to recognize the top three Academic Decathlon teams in each division as a way to spread their message: small acts of kindness matter, and they are within reach of everyone.
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