December 8, 2023 (Chadds Ford, PA) – The first contests of the 76th season of Delco Hi-Q were held this week with teams battling for points in the nation’s oldest continuous academic quiz competition.
The season kicked off with a competitive contest at Penncrest High School on December 4th. Upper Darby and Haverford High Schools travelled to Media to compete in the contest. The auditorium was full of enthusiastic students and special guests including, Representative Borowski and Senator Kane Steve Buxton, representing Delco Hi-Q Sponsor the Wilbur C. and Betty Lea Henderson Foundation. Upper Darby took an early lead, only missing two of their own questions in the first half. Penncrest stayed close behind, and by the half the two teams were tied with Haverford trailing 10 points. The second half saw more Bonus Points earned by Haverford; the Fords also picked up 4 points on each Toss Up question. Final Score- Penncrest: 41; Upper Darby: 38; Haverford: 38.
Chester STEM and Chichester High Schools visited Academy Park for the second contest of the week on December 6thWilliam Taylor, FMFCU Foundation Board Member and Delco Hi-Q participant in 1954, opened the contest with remarks about the program. The excited audience held signs and pompoms to cheer for the home team. Chichester took the early lead but both Academy Park and Chester STEM held on as they answered multiple questions correctly in the first half. In the end, Chichester secured the win. Final Scores- Academy Park: 18; Chester STEM: 10; Chichester: 31.
Valley Forge Military Academy hosted the final contest of the first week with Sun Valley and Notre Dame on December 7th. It was another close contest and by halftime the three teams were separated by just 4 points, with Notre Dame in the lead. Sun Valley zoomed through the second half, picking up the Team Choice Toss Up and only missing one question, giving them the win. Final Score- Valley Forge: 28; Sun Valley: 36; Notre Dame: 24.
Hi-Q competitions will continue next week with four contests at Interboro, Archbishop Carroll, Radnor and Delaware County Christian School.
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 Corporate Social Responsibility Program Manager Danielle Griffin is Hi-Q Assistant Director, and DCIU’s Dave Bramble is the production engineer. 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.
