The oldest continuous academic quiz competition in the United States will go on with its 73rd Season this year. But this will not be an ordinary season as the competition moves to a socially distanced online format.
FMFCU Foundation, DCIU, and the 21 competing schools realize the importance of Hi-Q and were determined to make sure the nearly three quarter century competition continued without postponement. When it became clear that an in-person season may not happen this year, FMFCU Foundation started working on a plan to shift to a virtual solution.
Rick Durante, Executive Director of Hi-Q and FMFCU Foundation said “We knew we could find a solution to keep this tradition going while making sure everyone is safe.” Social distancing will be maintained as the contestants will be able to individually compete from home or school without in-person contact.
All categories will remain and the materials that students have been studying all summer will be the same. Some rules and procedures will be modified to fit the format, similar to how Hi-Q has conducted National Championships between the four Hi-Q locations across the country. “It will be a different type of competition but very close to the spirit of Hi-Q that has been played since 1948,” added Durante.
The 73rd Season is slated to kick off on December 1st when Upper Darby takes on Archbishop Carroll and Sun Valley for the first virtual competition. The season continues through March 2021 until the season champion is crowned.
Delco Hi-Q is a partnership between Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) and Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union Foundation. FMFCU Vice President Rick Durante serves as Director and Quizmaster, FMFCU CSR and Program Manager Danielle Griffin is Hi-Q Assistant Director. In addition to support from the 21 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 Chester Operations and the Delaware County Daily Times.
