Delco Hi-Q, the nation’s oldest, continuous academic quiz competition, began its 69th season with two exciting matches December 1 and 2.
Strath Haven High School had the honor of hosting the first competition of the 2016-2017 Season, welcoming Penn Wood and Chichester High Schools Thursday. The host team started strong and remained strong, holding the lead throughout the competition and finished with 53 points. That’s a good start coming out of the gate. The home team earned maximum points by correctly answering the first six questions on their first try. Penn Wood came out of the gate strong, too, earning maximum points and picking up a bonus point in the first category, which was Current Events. After a sluggish start, Chichester kicked into high gear, being the only team to correctly answer the Toss-Up Sports question and earning maximum points in Literature, Mathematics, Chemistry, and American Government. Final scores: Strath Haven, 53; Chichester, 32; Penn Wood 18
Ridley High School hosted Friday’s meet with Delaware County Christian and 2015-16 third place finishers Sun Valley. The second meet of the season was markedly competitive, but Delco Christian grabbed the lead early and held it, besting the competition by about 20 points. All three teams demonstrated evidence of preparation and the ability to recall their studies under pressure. Sun Valley was particularly sharp on subjects related to History and Current Events, while Ridley displayed prowess in the Science categories. DC’s dexterity enabled them to capitalize on their opponents’ weaknesses and earn eight bonus points. Final scores: Delco Christian, 51; Ridley, 33, Sun Valley, 30
Competitors were greeted Thursday by Ayana Springfield, FMFCU Swarthmore College Branch Manager and Friday by Larry Schuelie, FMFCU Market Manager.
Three contests are scheduled next week. Bonner & Prendie hosts Valley Forge Military Academy and Interboro on Tuesday, 12/6. Cardinal O’Hara hosts Academy of Notre Dame and Archbishop Carroll on Wednesday, 12/7. The Christian Academy and Upper Darby travel to Academy Park on Thursday, 12/8.
How Hi-Q Competitions Work
Each school team has ten members, and each school hosts one contest during the regular season. Three teams compete at each contest, and in the regular season competition there are three rounds. Questions prepared from 13 categories cover standard high school course content as well as general scholastic knowledge that students are expected to have acquired. Guidelines and specific reference material are provided to each team at the start of each season. Each participating high school hosts at least one regular season Hi-Q match. Team standings are determined by total cumulative earned points. At the end of the regular season, the highest scoring team bypasses the semi-final round to advance directly to the championship round. Teams ranking second through seventh compete in the semifinal round before advancing to the championship match.
Delco Hi-Q is a partnership between Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) and Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (FMFCU). Veteran actor Tom McCarthy is Quizmaster, FMFCU Vice President Rick Durante serves as Director, FMFCU Community Education Manager Karen Hassett is Hi-Q Coordinator, and DCIU’s Dave Bramble is the production engineer.
In addition to support from participating schools, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and the Wilbur C. and Betty Lea Henderson Foundation are the primary corporate sponsors. Additional support comes from longtime sponsor Kimberly-Clark Corporation and the Delaware County Daily Times.
Stay up-to-date with Delco Hi-Q online at DelcoHiQ.org, Facebook, and Twitter.