Eleven Thomas County Central High School students placed in individual categories and the school’s quiz bowl team won first place during the Andrew College Academic Competition.
The event was held Jan. 25 in Cuthbert. Winners received medals and certificates (see box).
“I am proud of our students and the awards speak well for the academic preparation our students receive,” sponsor Laura Kornegay said.
Schools can send up to 20 students, but each student can compete in only one area (except for quiz bowl), Kornegay explained. Students mainly rely on their years of education in their chosen fields to prepare; however, TCCHS held a practice session to review past tests.
TCCHS students who competed in Math, Science or Social Studies categories were given the same test as everyone else in their area, with awards being presented by grade level. Math covered algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus; no calculators were allowed. Science encompassed biology, anatomy, physical science and chemistry. Social Studies included world history, US history, economics and government.
“I took my assigned test in the most efficient manner possible in order to score as highly as possible,” Jason Weeks, first place winner in Social Studies said.
Freshman Emily Johnson, also a first place winner in Social Studies, chose her area because she’s “always enjoyed learning about the way things happened to get us to where we are now.”
“I feel extremely proud of myself for winning first place in my category and grade level because there were so many other great participants and, somehow, I still received first place.”
She calls the experience an “amazing” one and said she “enjoyed being in an environment where everyone enjoyed learning.”
TCCHS also had a student each compete in Theatre Monologue and Art categories. Art included the student bringing an original work in any medium to be in “The People’s Choice” competition and participation in a live drawing contest.
Junior Kate Weaver won first place overall in the live contest. She had two hours to draw a still life using any media/paper size she chose. Her still life, created in colored charcoals, included a violin, lantern, black bottle, skull with antlers, a cross necklace, brown vase and a bust.
“I was very proud and excited to win,” she said. “I was not expecting to win first place, so I was extremely surprised and delighted.”
Once individual testing was complete, all schools participated in a quiz bowl competition. Each school’s team had six members and the event quizzed participants in five areas: social studies, math, science, fine arts and humanities. Each round had five questions, one for each area.
The TCCHS Quiz Bowl team consisted of Chandler Watson, Jason Weeks, Maggie Martin, Vince Wynn, Eli Kosciw, and Bret Hendricks. Member Vince Wynn is “so proud” of the team and thinks the fact it played to its members’ strengths while recognizing their weaknesses helped the team win.
“TCCHS had never won first place in this quiz bowl before,” he said. “It took us four years to win, and it finally came in our senior year. I think it’s a testimony to the greatness of our school, teachers, and students. We knew that our school is the best in South Georgia. Now, it’s confirmed.”
TCCHS Andrew College Academic Competition Winners
Emily Johnson: first place, ninth grade Social Studies
Jason Weeks: first place, 11th grade Social Studies
Vince Wynn: first place, 12th grade Social Studies
Maggie Martin: first place, 12th grade Social Studies
Kaleb Ward: first place, ninth grade Science
Joshua Stephens: second place, ninth grade Science
Ben Wilhelm: first place, 10th grade Science
Sierra Stephens: first place, 11th grade Science
Jackson NeSmith: second place, 11th grade Science
Chandler Watson: first place, 12th grade Science
Kate Weaver: first place, Art (overall)