FREDERICKTOWN – Sixth-graders who gathered for a photo Thursday had a resounding response when asked if they were ready for their third trip to Academic Challenge.
“Yes!” they declared in unison.
By any measure, coach Ben McClay believes Fredericktown Middle School’s first year of competition in Academic Challenge has been a success.
In February the sixth-grade team of Natalie Sharp, Xavier Timmons, Carson Sanchez, Cora Frye and Thomas Shade placed third among 28 teams from 13 school districts,
In March they again finished third against the same field, that time missing second place by only three points.
On May 14 Sharp, Sanchez, Frye and Shade will lead three sixth-grade teams to the school-year’s final competition at the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center in Mansfield.
“Enthusiasm and confidence have grown as the kids have practiced,” said McClay, the school’s talented and gifted coordinator. “I am proud of their efforts.”
The middle school also fielded two teams in seventh-eighth grade competition but it was the sixth-graders who achieved the highest first-year finishes. Only the sixth-graders will compete next week.
Teams are randomly selected to oppose each other in each of seven rounds of Academic Challenge competition. Team match-ups change with each round but the format remains the same. First, each team is given 10 questions which they discuss briefly before answering. A wrong answer gives the opposing team an opportunity to answer correctly and “steal” points. Finally, there is a lightning round of 10 questions during which any member of either team can buzz in first to answer.
In an earlier interview Cora Frye said some other students have the wrong idea about Academic Challenge.
“Some kids think it's nerdy, but it’s not. It’s fun,” said Cora, who also participates in sports. “And some don’t want to give up their lunch periods to practice because they want to spend that time with their friends. But we practice during lunch maybe a couple of times a week. There's still time to be with friends.”
McClay echoed that sentiment on Thursday.
“We practice mostly during the school day and only a couple of times a week during lunch,” he said. “We want to build a culture of pride in academics. I think the enthusiasm that has developed will lead to more students being involved next year.”
Registration for next week’s Academic Challenge includes 28 teams from 14 school districts.
Participating districts in addition to Fredericktown are Colonel Crawford, Crestview, Lexington, Mansfield City, Mansfield Spanish Immersion, Northmor, Ontario, Plymouth/Shiloh, Sacred Heart, St. Mary’s Mansfield, St. Mary’s Wooster, Shelby and Wooster.