Marple Newtown High School clinched the 2026 Hi-Q National Championship on April 26, rising to the top in a fast-paced virtual showdown hosted on Zoom. Each year, the Hi-Q National Contest pits the best teams from participating states against one another, and this year’s field was stacked: Davidson High School (Alabama), Oconto Falls High School (Wisconsin), Stanwood High School (Washington), and Marple Newtown High School (Pennsylvania).
The national match followed the classic Hi-Q format, firing questions across categories including current events, literature, and history. In the virtual setting, every team had a chance to jump on toss-up questions: no buzzers, just knowledge, speed, and nerves of steel.
It was a nail-biter from start to finish, and it all came down to the very last math question. All four teams solved it correctly, but Marple Newtown’s answer sealed the championship in a dramatic finish. Final Scores – Marple Newtown: 52; Davidson High School: 49; Oconto Falls: 32; Stanwood: 20.
With that final moment, Marple Newtown High School earned the Hi-Q National Champion title, an achievement that reflects months of preparation, teamwork, and academic excellence.
Congratulations to the Marple Newtown Hi-Q Team, their veteran faculty advisor Mrs. Liz Landes, and team members Evelyn Alen, Kevin Callahan Jr., Riley Carmichael, Ted Dong, Gracy Kaur, Hailey Kwon, Ryu Lam, Quynh Le, Tristan Lowe, Diljit Singh, Elaine Varughese, and Nangsa Zningray.
Marple Newtown High School will receive the Henderson Trophy, named in honor of Delco Hi-Q advocate Wilbur C. Henderson, whose legacy lives on through the Wilbur C. and Betty Lea Henderson Foundation.
Delco Hi-Q is a partnership between the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) and the 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. Along with support from the 21 participating schools, primary corporate sponsors include Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and the Wilbur C. and Betty Lea Henderson Foundation, with additional support from long-time sponsor Kimberly-Clark Chester Operations and The Daily Times.
