Ti Quiz Bowlers heading to National Championships

TICONDEROGA | The Ticonderoga Junior/Senior High School Quiz Bowl team is preparing once again to make its community proud. As the league of scholars anticipates their trip to the National Academic Championships, the students and their dedicated Advisor Maria Bagneschi are raising money to fully fund the trip. "We are seeking to raise approximately $5,500," Bagneschi shared. "That money will cover registration, airfare, lodging, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the students." Held this year June 13-14 in Birmingham, AL, the National Championships will allow Ti students to showcase their knowledge against eight other schools from across the country in an array of subjects, including pop culture, current events, literature, history, and sports. The Ti Quiz Bowl team is part of the North Country Quiz Bowl League, which covers the territory as far south as Saratoga and as far north as Bouquet Valley. This year's trip will mark the fourth time in less than ten years that Ti students have earned the prestigious opportunity to compete on the national stage. The team headed to Washington, D.C. in 2018 and 2019, and in 2023 they were Chicago-bound. "We had three weekends to pick from and four cities," Bagneschi revealed. "I made a chart and went through the approximate expenses of each city- how much it would cost to get there, how much it would cost to stay there, things there are to do there (you do have time while you are there to visit and site see)." Given that when not competing the students will have time for sightseeing, Birmingham not only was the city that fit everyone's busy schedules, but also the one that peaked the most interest intellectually. "Alabama is the epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement and it has a lot of museums about Civil Right," noted Ti High Junior and Quiz Bowl member Samuel Sutphen. "I am very excited to compete in Nationals there." To date, the Ti Quiz Bowlers have raised close to $800 for Birmingham, with another $1,000 in the club's account at school to contribute. With continued support from local organizations and community members, the scholars are hopeful they will reach their goal in the next two months. The team's largest fundraising effort will take place on Tuesday, April 28 within the Ti High Cafeteria. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the Quiz Bowl's signature "Fiesta Dinner & Taco Bar" will provide not only a night away from cooking, but help support the team in reaching their monetary goal. For $10 per head, tacos, nachos, and taco salads will be plentiful. Immediately following the feast at 6:30 p.m. while dessert is enjoyed, the annual Deb Breitenbach Memorial Student/Teacher Quiz Bowl Tournament will commence, pitting students against teachers in an epic scholarly face-off with trivia questions created by Bagneschi herself. "The kids love to play the teachers. The teachers can usually hold their own, they have a pretty stacked team. But we have a pretty good team too, the students always have a good shot for sure," Bagneschi teased. The entire public is welcome to attend and enjoy the Mexican fare, as well as the friendly competition. "We also have to purchase a new buzzer system," Bagneschi revealed. "The current one was purchased by Deb Breitenbach in 2012, it's worn out. National or not, new buzzers are still on our list." Bagneschi has also issued a unique challenge to encourage more funds in the till by asking former Quiz Bowlers to donate $1 for every year they have been out of high school, as well as reaching out to area organizations. As an educator, Bagneschi is always impressed witnessing the Quiz Bowl team rally to fund their trip and dream of competing, not being intimidated or discouraged by the high dollar amount looming over their young heads. It's an exercise in character, and the gratitude felt is immeasurable aboard the airplane. "It makes me feel lucky to live in a community that is so supportive of education," Bagneschi noted. "Many community members and organizations have made this trip possible. All donations, even those of one dollar or two, do add up and will help us reach our goal." (And because it is the right thing to do, Bagneschi always makes sure her students are taught how to properly write and send a thank you card, a classy touch and proper etiquette a valuable life skill.) Donations towards helping send the kids to the National Academic Championships may be made to the Ticonderoga Central School District, earmarked for "Quiz Bowl." All donations will be publicly recognized by the TCSD Board of Education and are also tax-deductible. Bagneschi may be contacted via email at mbagneschi@ticonderogak12.org or at 518-585-7400 Ext. 1218. The students are also eager to talk about Quiz Bowl and share how it enhances their development and high school experience. If you would welcome an opportunity for a student to present to your group or organization, please contact Baghneschi to make arrangements.

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Ti Quiz Bowlers heading to National Championships

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