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Feb. 27, 2008 - School spirit is alive and well at Shaker Junior High School,
and the intensity of that spirit was contagious during the schools
academic quiz bowl earlier this month.
Dressed from head to toe in school colors, wearing face paint and
waving hand-made signs, seventh and eighth-graders showcased their
allegiance to Calhoun, Clay, Houston or Norris Hall.
“Its really fun,” said eighth-grader Emma Ross, who competed for
the second consecutive year on behalf of Calhoun Hall, along with
first-time competitor Max Cohen and returning players Ryan Haller
and Angela Wang.
The competition involves teams of four students representing each of
the four halls within Shaker Junior High School. Two teams compete at a time, with players answering
a variety of questions within a specific timeframe.
“Its really intense,” said Wang.
To prepare for the competition, Wang studied general topics
provided by her teacher. Cohen stayed after school and used his
teachers Web site.
“Were a balanced team,” said Haller, about why they were selected
to represent their hall. “Each one of us takes a different
language.”
Players demonstrated their broad range of knowledge in various
subject areas, including literature, science, history, arts, current
events, geography and much more. Examples of questions include:
“In
music, what is improvisation?”
“Why did immigrants settle in primarily industrial states?”
“What is the main square in the center of Moscow called?”
“When is Cinqo de Mayo?”
“What is the chemical symbol for Mercury?”
 As
players debated the answer to questions, theme music from Jeopardy,
The Pink Panther, Jaws and other programs filled the schools
auditorium. Students cheered on their teammates with congratulatory
and reassuring words—evidence of the excitement and camaraderie this
event instills in the entire school.
“Its good to have people cheering you on,” said Ross.
Ultimately, Houston Hall seventh-graders and Norris Hall
eighth-graders won the schoolwide competition. Congratulations to
everyone who participated.
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Academic
quiz bowl energizes school spirit