Heritage Hall News

Upper School Students Re-establish Academic Bowl Team

Luke Williams '18
After a long absence, Heritage Hall's Academic Bowl Team is back! Brought together and led by junior Gene Moon and sponsored by Upper School English Teacher Robert Ring, the team is comprised of Jessica Ingram '17, Jacob Livesay '19, Michael Mandanas '18, Saif Salim '20, Winston Scambler '18, Luke Stewart '18, Luke Williams '18, and Turner Watkins '19. Although newly established, the team has set high expectations, with goals of competing in two or more exhibitional tournaments as well as district competitions, regionals, and the state tournament.

Facing teams from other schools in "Jeopardy"-esque quiz competitions, four primary team members will compete at the various competitions with other team members serving as alternates. Competitions consist of individual, group, and lightning rounds; the team with the most correct answers wins.

Excited to be a part of this reignited tradition at Heritage Hall, the Academic Team members all share hopes of adding another state trophy to Heritage Hall's collection this year. While sitting down with team leader Gene Moon, he shared his vision for the team and the program.

What prompted you to start a new Academic Bowl Team?
Heritage Hall has earned much respect from other schools through many accolades in athletics, debate, and the arts. Yet, our academic achievements are comparatively underestimated because of the limited opportunities to display them. I believe starting a new Academic Bowl Team not only allows students to fully exhibit their academic prowess, but also allows them to bask in the excitement that takes place amidst academic competition.

What are you most looking forward to accomplishing as a team this year?
I hope we finish the season with a favorable record and use that momentum to expand this program in both size and depth during the off-season. One of our main focuses should be ensuring the program's future, and, currently, the best option seems to be increasing awareness and interest within the Middle School.

What do you think the Academic Bowl Team could bring to Heritage Hall? In other words, how could it change the landscape of the school?
The Academic Bowl Team provides students an opportunity to display what they've learned behind the desk as well as what they've learned in preparation for the competition, but it can also help students perceive "learning" as a source of recreation. Success as a team will inevitably link academic achievement and communal pride within the entire school. Our vision is that the success of this program and the mentality it promotes becomes a defining characteristic of Heritage Hall in the future.

The Academic Bowl Team meets a minimum of twice weekly to practice and develop leading into the competitive season, which begins on October 10 with the district tournament. Hopefully, this is the beginning of the Academic Bowl Team once again becoming entrenched in Heritage Hall's culture. Not only will Chargers find themselves cheering for their friends on the fields of play, but also on the stage going head-to-head during an academic lightning round.
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