Tuesday, March 31, 2015

SC Students Compete in State Championship of Academics

Columbia, S.C. – State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman congratulates more than 300 middle and high school students for competing in the 2nd Annual State Championship of Academics.

“It is exciting to see so many students demonstrating their academic talents,” said Spearman. “This academic competition and tournament fosters a healthy culture of learning.  I hope this competition continues growing and that one day, we’ll see one of these students on Jeopardy,” concluded Spearman.

The state championship culminated a three-month competitive season of weekly Jeopardy style matches between 40 of the state’s 81 school districts and four regional tournaments.  Two-time Jeopardy winner from South Carolina, Leland Graham, moderated the championship.  Originally from the Midlands, Graham grew up competing in Quiz Bowl, trivia, and Model United Nations while in school.  After graduating from Winthrop University, he spent years on the pub-trivia circuit in the Carolinas while also working at the Olde English Consortium before his appearances on Jeopardy.

Sixteen teams competed in the championship:

• Midlands Region:
  • Lugoff-Elgin High
  • Camden High
  • Camden Middle
  • Pine Ridge Middle
• Olde English Region:
  • Fort Mill High
  • Indian Land High
  • Indian Land Middle
  • Fort Mill Middle
• Pee Dee Region:
  • Wilson High
  • Lake View High
  • Williams Middle
  • Johnsonville Middle
• Western Piedmont Region
  • Laurens High
  • Mid-Carolina High
  • Laurens Middle
  • Hickory Tavern Middle

The winners of the 2015 State Championship of Academics were Fort Mill High and Indian Land Middle School, with students taking home the Division I titles.  Lakeview High and Fort Mill Middle School won the Division II championship titles.

“The purpose of this event is to celebrate and promote academic achievement the same way we support athletic development,” said Michael Fanning, Ph.D., executive director of the Olde English Consortium.  “This competition was a great learning experience for these students and we look forward to expanding the competition to all school districts in the future,” concluded Fanning.

Presenting the awards were State Representative Raye Felder, Vice-Chair of the House Education and Public Works Committee and Dr. Lisa Johnson, Associate Dean of the Winthrop College of Education.  The state championships took place on the campus of Winthrop University.