Fairmont State University’s Honors Program hosted its annual Quiz Bowl on Saturday, October 19. Ten teams from West Virginia high schools competed for first place, including East Fairmont High School, Parkersburg High School, George Washington High School, Woodrow Wilson High School, Charleston Catholic High School, Liberty High School, Williamstown High School, and Nitro High School.

The faculty advisors for each school were Rebecca Merritt (EFHS), Linda Hindman (PHS), Gwynne Flatley (GWHS), Mary Jo Snow (WWHS), Meredith Summer and Amy Arnold (CCHS), Fred Ware (LHS), Deb Martin (WHS), and Ashley F. Clark (NHS).

This year, the judges were Fairmont State faculty and staff:  Dr. Todd Clark (History), Zach Curry (Pop Culture), Dr. Elizabeth Savage (English), and Dr. Tom Cuchta (Math/Science).

Several Honors students volunteered this year to run the Honors Quiz Bowl: Victoria Potts, Andrea Watson, Hannah Seaman, Caomi Fitz, Nicole Shomo, Sheridan Blankenship, Lindsay LaNeve, Bailey D. McInturff, Amber Meadows, Danielle Stutler, Sara Quigley, David Davis, Cam’Ron Allen, Steve Lipovich, Sarah Collett, and Alana Murphy. In addition, Amber Balsinger and Shannon Knowlton volunteered as co-authors of the math/science questions leading up to The Honors Quiz Bowl. 

Angelica Starcovic, president of the Honors Association and Assistant Quiz Bowl Chair, stated, “Quiz Bowl originated as a student initiative and continues through the dedication of our leadership and Honors students. It’s always a pleasure to see the teamwork effort that goes into the preparation for each year and watching the hard work pay off as we host some of West Virginia’s high achieving high school students.”

The Honors Quiz Bowl has four categories: History, Pop Culture, English, and Math/Science. Each team, consisting of four players, competes in four rounds to answer questions by a moderator from Fairmont State’s Honors Program. Each round lasts 10 minutes, and students attempt to answer as many questions as possible within that period. The rounds are presided over by one of Fairmont State University’s faculty.

Overall, The Honors Quiz Bowl of 2019 was a rousing success. George Washington High School Team 1 were the champions, with a cumulative score of 329. The Fairmont State University Honors Program is proud of each and every one of the teams’ effort and hopes to see them back next year.

“Quiz Bowl is an amazing opportunity to meet the best and the brightest across the state as well as to collaborate with the best and brightest at the university. This year was my first experience with the Honors Quiz Bowl, and I am extremely proud of all the hard work everyone put in to make this year a success,” said Madeline Puppos, the 2019 Honors Quiz Bowl Chair.