The Haven audience leans forward in anticipation as Haven’s Hi-Q team contemplates the answer to a question. One of Haven’s Hi-Q members reaches over for the mic and attempts an answer.
“Correct!” Quizmaster Mr. Rick Durante says.
The audience erupts into claps and cheers. Haven just took the lead.
On Tuesday, February 25, classes of students flocked to the auditorium to watch an intense Hi-Q semifinal match between Strath Haven, Radnor High School, and Penncrest High School. Haven won with a final score of 44, Radnor with 32 points, and Penncrest with 21 points.The first half of the Hi-Q match left Haven down a few points from Radnor. In the second half, Haven pulled ahead, taking full advantage of toss-up questions and stealing bonus points from other teams’ questions.
“I was really, really worried after Radnor swept the art history category, but we made up for it because we had a really strong showing in team choice and we pulled ahead,” sophomore Clark Kerkstra said. Kerkstra’s categories include American government, American history, and world history for the team.
This win marks the team’s first time in 11 years going to the championship match, and 20 years since they won a championship, according to Franklin Mint Federal Union Foundation records.
“Twenty years later, we’re here to make our mark on Strath Haven history, but we’re happy just being there right now,” senior Jaden Hunter said. Hunter’s categories include sports history and current events for the team.
Studying together as a team helped contribute to the team’s growth and strong camaraderie.
“There’s a level of connection that I have with the rest of the team that I don’t think I have with any other group I’m a part of just because we slave away every Wednesday fifth block around a pile of candy to really learn the material and grow as a team,” Hunter said.
This does not go unnoticed by physics teacher and Hi-Q adviser Mr. Bill Rothenbach, who notes their hard work and teamwork.
“We have set school records as far as point total accumulation for a single match for a season. The season as a whole, they’ve just been incredible throughout. They’re just a phenomenal group of individuals and a phenomenal team, like the idea that the sum of its parts is definitely true of this group,” Rothenbach said.
The team, comprised of mostly seniors, looks forward to competing together in the championship round.
“Especially because most of us it’s our last year here, I’m really glad we were able to pull it together this year and that we’ve been doing well. It’s always a pleasure to be competing with these guys,” senior Sebastian Reed said. Reed’s categories include mainly English and Shakespeare works for the team.
The Hi-Q team will compete in the County Championships at Marple Newtown on Wednesday, March 12. The Hi-Q team is recruiting for new members, and Rothenbach encourages interested students to stop by room 309.
