CHEST Guidelines-Academic-Decathlon

Academic-Decathlon_chest (1)
Pdf Summary
The poem "Academic Decathlon" by Robin Scofield is a poignant tribute to David, a young man who passed away at 18 from Ewing sarcoma. The narrative captures David's courageous battle with cancer, illustrating the journey through his diagnosis and treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation that resulted in hair loss. Despite his illness, David's resilience shines as he continued to play guitar and create music with his band, The Fedoras. The poem poignantly details how he embraced life intensely, visualized by his metaphorical feeling of time as a "lobster dropped in the pot," which implies urgency and a preciously fleeting nature.<br /><br />David experienced moments of joy and success: his hair regrowing as blonde ringlets, winning a full scholarship, and being voted "Best Boy" at his high school. His graduation speech focused on the need for inner strength for future endeavors, a telling reflection of his own silent battle with no hope for personal recovery. Despite the decline in his health, he remained committed to using his time wisely, as evidenced by his reaction to a setback at a Battle of the Bands contest.<br /><br />The final scenes occur after David's death, as his friends, including members of the Academic Decathlon team, attend his funeral. Amid the desert backdrop, they reflect on the life still being lived and the life that has ended, promising to keep David's spirit and memory alive. The narrative underscores themes of bravery, the ephemeral nature of life, and the enduring impact of an individual's journey through adversity. This heartfelt expression captures both grief and admiration, illustrating the lasting influence of David's short-lived but deeply impactful life.
Keywords
Academic Decathlon
Robin Scofield
David
Ewing sarcoma
courage
resilience
music
life
bravery
memory