Thursday, January 31, 2002
A champion will emerge after about six hours of 25-question rounds.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
EAST PALESTINE -- A traveling trophy and the right to represent Columbiana County at regional competition will be on the line during the countywide Academic Challenge.
The event sponsored by the Columbiana County Educational Service Center will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday at the Columbiana County Career Center.
Academic Challenge teams from the 11 high schools in Columbiana County will be represented, including East Palestine, last year's champion.
Vaugn Musser, coordinator of programming for gifted pupils, said the county's Academic Challenge program, part of Ohio Academic Challenge, is in its 25th year.
She said the winning team will represent the county at the regional competition that usually takes place in April in Akron. Regional winners then advance to state competition, she said.
How it's done: Musser said determining a champion takes about six hours because the teams must all face each other once. Each of the 10 rounds is 25 questions on any subject, such as history, science, art or music, she said.
Gerry Guy, who teaches Spanish at East Palestine High School, is in her 12th year as the East Palestine team adviser.
She said the students practice weekly, answering questions similar to those given during competition. She also asks the team members to create their own questions.
Among East Palestine's 10 team members are returning players Craig Beight, Ryan Kramer, Jenifer Powers, Richard McNeal and Leslie Rowland, all seniors.
Guy said participating in Academic Challenge gives the high school students the opportunity to participate in an extracurricular activity and enhance their academic skills.
Parents and friends attend the competitions, which are open to the public, to cheer on their favorite teams, she said.