“Identify the 1901 Anton Chekhov drama which relates the story of Olga, Masha and Irina Prozorov who yearn for the excitement of Moscow.”    “What color is produced when sodium is subjected to a flame test?” 

 Would you be able to answer these questions or others concerning American literature, mathematics, world history, fine arts, life science, American government, world geography or US history? The reader allows each team just ten seconds to answer before the other team has a chance to “steal” the points for itself. In the lightning round, there’s only three seconds! These are the challenges that face our club members when they come up against the other teams in the Medina County and PAC academic challenge leagues.

 

From October to April, our varsity and JV teams travel Monday or Thursday afternoons for two to four rounds of competition in an attempt to qualify for regional or state competitions in the spring. Each round consists of questions in the above categories, then an alphabet round with all answers beginning with a single letter and, finally, the lightning round where speed is as important as knowledge. When we’re not competing, we practice twice a week to improve our knowledge, sharpen our “buzzer” speed and enhance our logical skills.

 

Our 18 members (9 varsity and 9 JV) do not consider themselves nerds -- just well read and well rounded in their academic interests. We have athletes, band members, mock trial advocates and others as well (which leads to some schedule conflicts!) 

 

There is a club in the junior high which has provided us with many capable recruits. Some of our members have graduated to compete in their college clubs.