BOCES Scholastic Challenge 2009

The annual Scholastic Challenge Competition was held on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at Portville Central School. The event was sponsored by Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES, under the direction of Tim Cox, Director of Instructional Support Services. A total of 30 teams competed in the Junior (grades 7-9) Division and Senior (grades 9-12) Division.

Scholastic Challenge is a fast-paced contest that pits school against school, friend against friend and, in some cases, sibling against sibling, in a high-spirited tournament to test their knowledge of academic trivia. Teams of three secondary students measure their ability to recall details from a wide variety of topics.

Eleven school districts participated in the double-elimination contest of wills. The teams represented their schools well, combining an impressive display of intelligence with comraderie, graciousness and good sportsmanship that was admirable.

Eighteen Senior Division Teams competed from: Cuba-Rushford – 2 teams coached by John Butler, Ellicottville Central – 2 teams coached by Lynne Nuthall, Fillmore Central – 1 team coached by Kathy Moore, Friendship Central – 1 team coached by Wade Pearsall, Genesee Valley – 1 team coached by Theo Bullock, Hinsdale – 2 teams coached by Katie Ward, Olean – 1 team coached by Carolyn Shields, Pioneer Central - 2 teams coached by Sarah Farr, Portville Central - 2 teams coached by Gene Rogers, Wellsville Central - 2 teams coached by Diane Willard, West Valley Central – 2 teams coached by Ryan Keem.

Twelve Junior Division Teams competed from: Cuba-Rushford – 2 teams coached by John Butler, Asst. Coach – Mrs. Egresi, Ellicottville Central – 2 teams coached by Lynne Nuthall, Fillmore - 1 team coached by Kathy Moore, Friendship – 1 team coached by Wade Pearsall
Hinsdale – 1 team coached by Katie Ward, Pioneer Central – 2 teams coached by Sarah Farr, Wellsville Central – 1 team coached by Diane Willard, West Valley Central – 2 teams coached by Ryan Keem

The Top Teams for Relay For Life for 2008 were honored at the first of a series of team captain meetings.

2nd Place – Senior Division – Ellicottville Maroon (Chris Snyder, Emily Foster, Coach – Lynne Nuthall, Carrie Helwig, Matt Piontek)

1st Place – Senior Division – Wellsville Mind Bogglers (Jimmy Gilfert, Matt Brown, Evan Duckett, Julia Rashid, Coach – Diane Willard)

2nd Place – Junior Division – Cuba-Rushford Red (Coach – John Butler, Trae Durkee, Breanna Winicki, Samantha Wallace, Alan Sweet, Asst. Coach – Mrs. Egresi)

1st Place Junior Division – Cuba-Rushford Blue (Coach – John Butler, Megan van der Horst, Ryan Webb, Courtney Mountain, Asst Coach – Mrs. Egresi)

The final matches were held on stage in the Portville auditorium. The first and second place teams in each division were presented with plaques to recognize their achievements.

Thank you to Maggie Redmond, Sara Benjamin, Lynne Yehl, Gene Rogers, Tim Cox and Laurie Sledge for their endless commitment to Scholastic Challenge. This event requires a large number of volunteers to make the day run smoothly. A sincere thanks to everyone who gave their time and experience to provide a fun and educational day for the students in our area. Scholastic Challenge would not happen without their help!

Congratulations to all the teams and their proud coaches on a job well done. We look forward to seeing everyone back next year!