Students win their first round of competition in televised quiz show

The Wells High School Quiz team won their first round of competition on Maine Public’s “High School Quiz Show: Maine,” now in its 5th season and shown on the Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN). WHS won the match against Waterville High School’s team, 440 to 230. The show was pre-recorded at MPBN’s television facility in Lewiston and aired on April 14th.

Coached by English teacher Ann Bechan, the WHS team consists of Andrew Mott, (a senior) Grady Roy and Indie Brogan (juniors), William Griffith and Sam Coleman (sophomores), and Nolan Mottor (freshman). After passing a written qualifying test in their classroom, and an online test, the team became one of sixteen teams from across the state to compete this season.

“As a team, they have a wide range of knowledge--each has a few specialty areas in which he excels, but they all individually have a wide scope of interests and expertise as well,” commented Bechan in an email. “I enjoy practicing with them when we can fit that into their very busy schedules.”

“It was a great time, and all of my teammates seemed to enjoy it very much as well,” commented Andrew Mott. When asked about being on television he wrote, “I did enjoy being on television as it allowed me to send the link (to watch the show) to people like my grandparents and girlfriend.”

According to mainepublic.org, High School Quiz Show: Maine is a “single-elimination, academic bracket competition.” “Questions used in each contest align with the Maine high school curriculum standards across literature, history, science and math, as well as including questions regarding current events and general knowledge.” Todd Gutner, Chief Meteorologist for Ch. 6 WCSH television in Portland, is the host of the program.

High School Quiz Show: Maine can be seen on Maine Public’s Television Thursday evenings at 8:00 p.m. It is rebroadcasted Friday afternoons at 2:00 and Sunday afternoons at 5:00. Previous programs, including the program featuring the WHS team, can be watched online at: https://www.mainepublic.org/high-school-quiz-show-maine-season-five

When the program’s season is over, the team that remains victorious over all of the others will receive $1,000 for their school’s Project Graduation. The runner-up team will receive $500 for their school.