FREDERICKTOWN – It’s obvious that Quinn Sharp, Jace Smith and Lachlan Flint enjoy an academic challenge.
All three -- members of Fredericktown’s sixth-grade Academic Challenge team --were working to solve Rubik’s Cubes when they arrived for an interview at the middle school. The team’s fourth member, Zayden Luckmeier, was busy elsewhere rehearsing for his role in “Beauty and the Beast.”
The sixth-graders made a remarkable showing in their first-ever competition against other schools, placing fifth out of 30 teams during Academic Challenge on Jan. 28 at the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center in Mansfield. Fourteen other north central Ohio school districts participated, most fielding multiple teams. Fredericktown was the only Knox County school in the competition.
Ben McClay, Fredericktown’s gifted and talented coordinator, is the Academic Challenge adviser and coach.
“The team did very well, especially when you consider that it was their first competition,” McClay said. “I think they are excited about the next round on March 19.”
Lachlan, whose favorite subject is social studies, said he was drawn to participating in Academic Challenge “because I like trivia questions.”
“I watch Jeopardy! sometimes,” he said, adding that one day he would like to become either a pilot or a budget analyst.
For Jace, the decision to join Academic Challenge was more matter-of-fact.
“I’m smart,” he said, grinning, “and I had nothing to do that day. Math is my favorite subject. I want to play professional football. That may not happen … but you never know.”
Quinn, whose favorite subject is science, aspires to become as astrophysicist. He said he did nothing special to prepare for Academic Challenge.
“I just go about my life, especially sleeping. I’m a good sleeper,” he said, laughing.
This is only the second year that Fredericktown has competed in Academic Challenge. McClay said 47 students in grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 practice during their lunch periods on Tuesdays. He uses questions from previous competitions. Not all of the students were on teams at Mansfield in January but some may join competition in March.
At Mansfield teams move from room to room, competing against other schools during seven rounds. Initial rounds are “alphabet” rounds in which all of the answers to 10 questions begin with the same letter. Teams each get 10 questions and the opposing team may “steal” points if their opponent misses a response. Those rounds are followed by “lightning” rounds in which any team member may buzz in to answer a question in head-to-head competition.
“Our fifth-grade teams and sixth- and seventh-grade teams were not among the top scorers in January, but they gained a lot of experience,” McClay said. “Overall, I am really pleased about participation in Academic Challenge, especially the fact that we have 20 fifth-graders who are involved this year.
“They may not always have high scores in competition, but they are enthusiastic. Just like athletics, we must practice to gain consistency.”
Participants include:
Fifth-grade: Addie Clagg, Clayton Stryker, Kaley Dugan, Cross Adkins, Ava Robertson, Jordan Smith, Hunter McLaughlin, Avery Doup, Malcom McGregor, Camryn Blanchard, Charlie McKenzie, Brenden Melvin, Journey Flack, Zoey Stotts, Milo Brown, Kayden Coe, Andreas Sekavek and Michael Cooper.
Sixth-grade: Raelyn Guerrero, Brayden Roush, Liam Woods, Gavin McVay, Brooklyn Finnell, Lucas Stanley, Mason Morris, Emma Wood, Jamie Frost and Lucas Palmer
Seventh and eighth grades: Amaiah Smith, Brooklyn Briegel, Mia Salva, Cora Frye, Carson Sanchez, Xavier Timmons, Brody Randall, Aiden Hansen, Aiden Blanchard, Asa Harris, Cooper Graham, Carsyn Adkins and Natalie Sharp.