At Weir High School, we have an intelligent group of people who compete in Academic  Games, including six local tournaments.

Their team travels for regionals usually to Seneca Valley or Montour. Since they made it through regionals, they will move on to nationals.

This year, so far, thirteen kids are going to nationals. From Weir High Callie Wood, Andrew Manteau, Karlie Bailey, Alex Hatfield, Leila Schwer, Max Wood, Lienna Bisset, and Jarod Bischof. From Weir Middle Jamie Bisset, Jenna Burket, and Preston Cromwell. Also, from Oak Glen Middle, Emmet Mick and Ellis Mick.

The national tournament will take place in Orlando, Florida from April 20-25.

One of the qualifiers, Andrew Manteau, said, “It feels awesome! This will be my second time going to nationals and my first time going to Florida. I love being able to spend time traveling with some of my best friends. Mrs. Smith always takes plenty of photos, which I really appreciate because I love being able to look back on these memories.”

Andrew competed in regional tournaments against other schools in the Western Pennsylvania area and personally qualified for Nationals by placing highly at the regional level in Propaganda, LinguiSHTIK, On-Sets, and Equations.

There are seven games the team plays at their competitions, including two math equations and On-Sets, Language Arts and linguiSHTIK, propaganda, and three social studies questions about presidents, theme, and current events.

Students are asked questions pertaining to these subjects and race to think of the correct answer. The team at the end of the final round with the most points will win.

English and ASL teacher, Betty Smith-Montgomery, has been coaching the academic team for over forty years and she said she values the connection she creates with her team and cares deeply for every member.

In school there is an academic class that students can take during the first semester to practice. Also, there is practice for the club every Monday and Thursday from 2:30 to 5. Smith-Montgomery coaches all grades fifth through twelfth with all of them practicing together. Oak Glen Middle and Weir Middle join to compete.

She explained, “The best part about coaching is being with kids for eight years, watching them grow from fifth grade to twelfth grade and watching their excitement when they are learning and winning. Also, hearing from students who have graduated, and they are working with things they learned from the academic games.”

Smith-Montgomery’s students value this team just as much as she does. Karlie Bailey, one of the team members, has been involved with academic games since fifth grade.

She stated her favorite parts, “Definitely the math games, my favorite questions had always been about equations. Also, my friends in the club and getting out of school early to support each other.” Good luck to all the students competing!

Academic Games team in their yearbook picture.