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ACADEMIC TOURNAMENT TESTS STUDENTS’ WITS

By Wes Clement/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, November 13, 2009 12:37 AM CST

An invitational Quiz Bowl competition gave some area students an opportunity Thursday to test their knowledge and practice for upcoming tournaments.

Andrew Sorrows, from the White Hall Junior High team, ponders the answer to a question Thursday afternoon during the Quiz Bowl at the Arkansas River Education Services Cooperative in Pine Bluff. Pine Bluff Commercial/Ralph Fitzgerald

The event, held at the Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative building at 912 W. 6th Ave., allowed middle school and junior high school students to practice Quiz Bowl competition without affecting the schools’ state rankings.

“It’s tremendous practice, because when you play against yourself, you really don’t know how good you are,” Ronette Metcalf, Watson Chapel Gifted and Talented program coordinator said. “This allows you to gauge what you know to find your weaknesses, to know what you need to start working on for the real tournaments.”

Each of the nine school districts within the ARESC service area were invited to participate, Bill Shelly, ARESC Gifted and Talented program coordinator said. The school districts of White Hall, Watson Chapel, Sheridan and Stuttgart were represented at the competition, some bringing multiple teams.

“It (Quiz Bowl) gives the students a safe place to have fun and learn at the same time,” White Hall Quiz Bowl Coach Josh Onasch said. “It helps them develop a competitive edge without aggression.”

One of Sheridan’s teams, “Sheridan Two,” won a first place trophy Thursday, and the “Sheridan Gold” team won second place.

“This is a lot easier than the practice we’ve been using,” Sheridan Middle School student Abby Godwin said. “The practice (at school) is harder.

“It seems like since we’re from a smaller town, we would know less, but it seems like we know more than the bigger towns.”

Sheridan was also victorious Tuesday at a similar event held at ARESC for area elementary students.

The district’s “East End One” team took first place and “White Hall Black” won second place.

High school Quiz Bowl participants served as moderators at the competition, allowing them to view the competition from a different perspective.

The Regional Quiz Bowl tournament has been scheduled for March 13, and the state tournament has been scheduled for April 10. The locations are not yet known.

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