Students from Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) juvenile court schools showcased teamwork, creativity and academic excellence during the 2026 Academic Bowl, an inspiring competition centered on this year’s theme, “Transformation.

The annual event brought together student teams for a day of presentations,  performances and academic competition, culminating in the highly anticipated SuperQuiz.

Students proudly represented their schools with original team names and spirited performances:

• Camp Afflerbaugh — “The Reincarnated” 
  Coached by Mr. Anih and Dr. Cowan

• Camp Kilpatrick — “The Shape Shifters” 
  Coached by Mr. Ty and Ms. Kircher

• Camp Rockey — “The Rockey Rocks” 
  Coached by Ms. Reyes and Ms. Campos

• Dorothy Kirby Center — “The Rising Rams” 
  Coached by Ms. Scott and Ms. Garza

Each team delivered opening presentations that reflected the competition’s theme and highlighted students’ creativity, collaboration and perseverance.

Students also heard from keynote speaker Kelvin Brown, a Microcomputer Technician II with 15 years of information technology experience who has worked at LACOE since 2018.

Brown shared his journey growing up throughout Los Angeles and building his successful barbecue business, Smoked N’ Blazed BBQ, which opened in May 2023. His company is set to make its third appearance at both the Long Beach BBQ Festival and the Los Angeles Taste of Soul festival.

His message encouraged students to embrace growth, resilience and transformation in their own lives.

Following the opening presentations, students competed in the SuperQuiz, demonstrating their knowledge and teamwork in a fast-paced academic challenge.

At the conclusion of the competition, every participant received a medal and certificate recognizing their hard work and dedication. Trophies were also awarded to the schools placing first through fourth.

The top honor of the day went to Camp Glenn Rockey, which earned first place, followed by Campus Kilpatrick in second, Camp Kirby in third and Camp Afflerbaugh in fifth place in the 2026 Academic Bowl.