Program Blog

For Coaches and Teachers, For Hosts and Facilitators, For Parents

Meet our Team: Daniel Sheldon

Alison Weaverdyck
  1. Daniel and Peggy at the 2015 Minnesota State Meet
    Daniel and Peggy at the 2015 Minnesota State Meet

    What gets you the most excited about starting a new US Academic Triathlon season?

Growing up with Academic Triathlon (my mother, Peggy Sheldon, is the founder), it is fun to see what the kids come up with as the solutions to the problems – it’s always very different every year. This year I’m excited to be part of the whole process as a formal staff member. I think it’s an excellent program to foster creativity in middle school kids.

  1. What creative things do you do in your spare time?

I’m a photographer, so I’m constantly thinking creatively to get the shot – and thinking outside the “lens” for creative perspectives. Additionally, I run a print shop, so I get to work with clients to design business cards, signs, and whatever printed materials they might need.

  1. What is your favorite USAT event and why?

I love trivia – I have a good mind for facts and details. Ask me nearly any sports statistic or sports history fact and I’ll come up with it. My memory is like an elephant’s – I never forget. Therefore, it has always been fun for me to come up with the content for Face-Off!, and I liked to help my team in this event when I was a student competing in USAT.

  1. What is your role in the program?

I am the Production Director, so it’s my job to make sure the Meet materials each team receives are done well. I value a high standard of production, so it is my goal to make sure the materials you receive are top notch.

  1. Who was your hero when you were in middle school?

Kirby Puckett – he stood for strong leadership and great teamwork. Plus, he was an amazing athlete.

For Coaches and Teachers, For Parents

Meet our Team: Alison Sheldon Weaverdyck

Alison Weaverdyck
  1. What gets you the most excited about starting a new year of US Academic Triathlon?

Even though the program only runs half the year, my brain is running full time! I have been coming up with ideas for new challenges and I am looking forward to figuring out how to turn them into Mind Sprints and PARTY events.

2. What creative things do you do in your spare time?

I do a lot of different creative things. For starters, I write a lot. I am working on both a novel and a nonfiction book, which is based on my blog about Steampunk which I post to three times per week. I am also currently running drama clubs for 1st-3rd graders and teens through my local Friends of the Library organization. I get to really test my own improv skills later this fall when I start leading walking tours around Sacramento where I have to be in character as a resident of the 1850s. Lastly, I make mixed media assemblage art out of scrapbook paper, found objects and canvasses.

3. What is your favorite USAT event and why?

When I was on a team back in the day, my favorite event was always PARTY in a Box. I was never a shy kid, so getting up in front of people was easy and fun for me, and I liked the challenge of creating a skit with so little time. Ever since I got too old to be on a team, I have helped my mom (Peggy) with writing the challenges for a new generation of triathletes, and PARTY has continued to be my favorite event.

4. What is your role in the program?

I am in charge of planning and executing the curriculum for the program, which means that starting this year I will be writing all of the MindSprints, PARTY in a Box prompts and Face-Offs. In the past few years I have written about half of the MindSprints and PARTYs, but I have not been involved in Face-Off beyond fact-checking and proof-reading, so I am looking forward to this new challenge. I also write the articles for this blog, like the PARTY series and SCAMPER series last year. This year I am going to focus on Face-Off, STEM and the theory of Multiple Intelligences, so make sure to follow this blog to get information that can help your students learn, grow, and improve their scores in the competition. Lastly, I will be providing fun brainstorming prompts on a weekly basis through our Facebook page, so don’t forget to “like” us in order to get even more practice materials.

5. Who was your hero when you were in middle school?

Albert Einstein. I was drawn to his brilliance, humility and humor. My favorite quote of his is still “Creativity is intelligence having fun.”

 

 

For Coaches and Teachers, For Parents

Meet our Team: Sarah Kirchner Sheldon

Alison Weaverdyck
Sarah at the 2015 State Tournament
Sarah at the 2015 State Tournament
  1. What gets you the most excited about starting a new US Academic Triathlon season?

While I’m sad to see Peggy go, I am excited to help the organization grow and expand following such a strong leadership over the past 30 years. USAT’s staff has exciting ideas for the coming years, and we can’t wait to share them with you!

  1. What creative things do you do in your spare time?

I like to keep busy and stay creative. I write, practice calligraphy, color, scrapbook, crochet, and serve as a photographer’s assistant for my husband’s company.

  1. What is your favorite USAT event and why?

I love writing and watching Mind Sprints. Personally I enjoy puzzles and challenges, and it’s fun to watch teams work through the problem to get to an answer – plus there’s never a wrong answer or a wrong way to get the answer. It’s exciting to watch teams work through a problem in a way that wasn’t anticipated when the Mind Sprint was written. You get to watch students’ minds working through a problem, work together in teams, and see creativity in action!

  1. What is your role in the program?

I am the Executive Director. In this role, I am responsible for scheduling, team/coach organization and communication, marketing/communication/fundraising, and am the primary contact for coaches, parents, and teams. Together with my partners (Creative Director Alison Weaverdyck and Production Manager Daniel Sheldon), we work on strategic planning and overall organizational direction.

  1. Who was your hero when you were in middle school?

My mom – she always told me I could do and be whatever I wanted to do or be. I will never forget that and think every child needs to hear that.

Announcements

Welcome to the 2015-16 season of US Academic Triathlon

Alison Weaverdyck

We are very excited about the upcoming season and the future of USAT! Please spend some time on this website where you will find a lot of great coaching and competition resources, this season’s schedule, and registration materials.

Peggy giving out trophies to the 2015 State Competition winners
Peggy giving out trophies to the 2015 State Competition winners

This year brings major changes to the organization’s leadership. It is with great sadness that we bid adieu to our wonderful founder, Peggy Sheldon, as she embarks on the great journey that is retirement. Peggy created USAT and led the organization for nearly 30 years, often doing most of the work herself. For decades Peggy brainstormed and wrote Meet content, packaged Meet materials, and produced the State competition event single-handedly. Please join us as we wish Peggy the best of luck in retirement!

Over the past few years you may have noticed some new, but familiar, names on the website and in our correspondence. Alison (Sheldon) Weaverdyck, Peggy’s daughter; Daniel Sheldon, Peggy’s younger of two sons, and Sarah Kirchner Sheldon, Peggy’s daughter-in-law, formally joined the staff of USAT five years ago as the organization continued to grow. This year’s leadership change will now put those names in the forefront, but will continue under Peggy’s great example (and occasional guidance). The structure of the program and its goals have not changed, and we look forward to working with you again this year to offer a rewarding and fun opportunity for your students.

Sarah Kirchner Sheldon, former Minnesota State Coordinator, will now serve as Executive Director and continue to be the main contact for all coaches, coordinators, parents, and teams. You can reach her directly at sarah@usacademictriathlon.com.

Alison Weaverdyck is the Creative Director and in charge of curriculum and maintaining a high level of excellence as USAT continues to challenge and inspire participating students. Don’t miss her weekly articles about methods for boosting creativity and helping your team play to its strengths! You can find them on this website, get them sent directly to your email by subscribing to this blog (see sign up box at right), and through our Facebook page. You can reach her directly at alison@usacademictriathlon.com.

Daniel Sheldon is now the Production Director and is in charge of creating and shipping high quality Meet materials. You can reach him directly at dan@usacademictriathlon.com.

With this change in leadership, we have moved the USAT headquarters back to the Twin Cities (specifically St. Paul) to be more centrally located. Please take note of our new mailing address:

US Academic Triathlon
2355 Fairview Ave #335
Roseville, MN 55113

Did you know US Academic Triathlon is a registered 501c3 tax-exempt organization? Keep your eye out this season for our involvement in local giving events such as Give to the Max Day and #GivingTuesday.

We appreciate your continued support and look forward to challenging your students during another great seasons of US Academic Triathlon!

Announcements, For Hosts and Facilitators

2015-2016 Season Dates

Alison Weaverdyck

Mark your calendars!

Round Robin Competitions:

December 11, January 8, February 19

Schedules will be posted after Registration has closed.

Snow/Make up date: February 26

Regional Competition: March 18

State Competition: April 16