Hi-Q National Championships
Alabama, Pennsylvania, Washington & Wisconsin/Michigan

Working on an answer:  Menominee Hi-Q team members, left to right, Erik Thomas, Ryan Thomas, Hannah Christensen, and Elizabeth Horn work on a math question during the national championship Hi-Q match. And, if you look closely, in the far top left side of this picture you will see F&MB&T Bank President Tom Maxwell... attempting to correctly answer one of the questions.

Acknowledging congratulations:  The Menominee Hi-Q team waves to the camera after being acknowledged as the winner of the national Hi-Q championship match.  In row one far left is team member Brock Jersey, team advisor Ron Jackson, Hi-Q director Linda Wilke, and team members Erik Thomas, Ryan Thomas, Hannah Christensen, and Elizabeth Horn.

Celebrating title: The Menominee Hi-Q team shows it’s number one in the nation after winning the National Hi-Q championship. Seated left to right are Erik Thomas, Ryan Thomas, Hannah Christensen, and Elizabeth Horn with Brock Jersey behind.

Menominee dominated the title match, leading from start to finish, to win the Hi-Q national championship Monday, April 23. The Maroons defeated regional champion teams from Pennsylvania, Alabama and Washington to win the academic quiz competition.

  It was Menominee’s first national Hi-Q championship and the second for Northeast Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula of Michigan teams. Wausaukee High School won the national title last year, the first time the Hi-Q national championship match had been staged since 1981.

  The Menominee team comprised of Brock Jersey, Hannah Christensen, Elizabeth Horn, Ryan Thomas, and Erik Thomas scored 58 points to win the national championship match.

  Garnet Valley High School in Glen Mills, PA, scored 46 points to finish in second place; Bryant High School in Irvington, AL took third place with 36 points, and Archbishop Murphy High School in Everett, WA, finished fourth with 33 points. It was the second straight year Garnet Valley and Bryant have finished second and third in the national championship match.

  Menominee competed in a classroom at UW Marinette and was connected with the three other teams via videoconferencing.

  Menominee answered 14 of 15 questions correctly – 12 on the first attempt. Subjects included: Current events, American history, biology, sports, literature, math, Shakespeare, geography, chemistry, art history, physics, American government, and world history.

Note:  According to John P. Reeg, Coordinator of Technology Services at University Center Everett, WA..."Today's National event was recorded and is now available for viewing online.  The title of the event is "2012 Hi-Q National Championship". You may also download the recording."  Click here for a PDF with viewing instructions and other information needed to view the video. Click here to view the video on UC Everett's website..

  Teams have four chances to answer a question correctly. They are awarded a corresponding number of points. Teams can also earn one bonus point by answering correctly a question an opponent failed to answer.
Menominee qualified to compete in the national Hi-Q championship match when it won the local championship earlier this month. Teams from 18 high schools in Northeast Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula participated in that competition.

  Established in 1948, Hi-Q is the oldest continuing academic quiz competition for high school students in the United States. This was the 36th year of local competition.

  Farmers & Merchants Bank & Trust is the principal sponsor of Hi-Q. The other local sponsors are Kimberly-Clark Corp. and UW Marinette.

Menominee will be honored for winning the national and local championships, along with local runner-up Wausaukee and third place Gillett at the annual Hi-Q banquet next month.

Story and pictures by Donn Williams 04/23/12