Delaware County, PA – February 27, 2026 – The stage is set for a thrilling championship contest in the 78th season of Delco Hi-Q, the nation’s oldest continuous academic quiz competition. This year’s semi-finals have delivered unexpected upsets, with the underdogs earning a shot at the coveted Donna Zerby Trophy. The Championship Contest will take place on Wednesday, March 11 at 11:45 AM at Radnor High School.
In front of a packed auditorium filled with students, families, and supporters at Delaware County Christian School, Strath Haven and Marple Newtown battled it out in a rematch of last year’s championship. Marple, entering as the 5th place team from the regular season, stunned the crowd by leading after the first half. Despite a valiant comeback from Strath Haven and Marple’s hard-fought battle with 3rd and 4th place teams, it was Marple Newtown who emerged victorious by a mere 3-point margin. Final Scores: Delco Christian School – 40; Strath Haven– 45; Marple Newtown– 48.
Two days later, the second semi-final contest saw Upper Darby, the wild card winner from 9th place in the regular season, take on Garnet Valley and Penncrest High School. It was a tale of two halves, with Penncrest securing an early lead before Upper Darby rallied in the second half, picking up key bonus points and winning the team-choice tossup question. In the end, Upper Darby clinched victory by a narrow 2 points, marking their return to the championship for the first time in 27 years. Final Scores: Penncrest – 48; Garnet Valley – 28; Upper Darby – 50.
The Donna Zerby Trophy will be awarded to the 78th Delco Hi-Q Champion at the Championship Contest on March 11. The championship promises to be an exciting rematch of past titans and new challengers.
Radnor enters the competition as the 1st place team from the regular season and will be hosting the event. Though they have a strong record, it has been a few years since they last appeared in the championship. Upper Darby, which makes its first appearance in the championship in 27 years, is riding a wave of momentum after overcoming the odds in the semifinals. They are the first-ever winners of the Wildcard Round, making their historic run even more exciting. Marple Newtown, fresh off their narrow semi-final victory, returns to the championship after competing last year and frequently making it to the playoffs.
At the championship, the winning team will not only take home the prestigious Donna Zerby Trophy, but also a $3,000 cash prize, with $2,500 for second place and $2,000 for third place – all generously donated by FMFCU.
All participating Delco Hi-Q teams will be celebrated at the FMFCU Foundation Celebration on April 16 at Drexelbrook, where more than 600 students, parents, teachers, businesspeople, and local dignitaries will gather to recognize the achievements of these bright young minds.
Delco Hi-Q continues to showcase the dedication, teamwork, and academic excellence of Delaware County students. As the longest-running academic quiz competition in the nation, this year’s championship promises to be an exciting and unforgettable event.
The Delco Hi-Q competition is a partnership between the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) and the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union Foundation (FMFCU). FMFCU’s Rick Durante serves as Director and Quizmaster, Danielle Griffin is Hi-Q Assistant Director, and Dave Bramble of DCIU handles production. Along with the support of the 21 participating schools, corporate sponsors such as FMFCU, the Wilbur C. and Betty Lea Henderson Foundation, Kimberly-Clark Chester Operations, and The Daily Times, this event continues to shine a spotlight on the brightest minds in Delaware County.
