Academic competition kicks off

Students were welcomed to the Varsity Semifinals of the 34th Annual Chester County Academic Competition.

DOWNINGTOWN » State Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19, Monday morning welcomed students to the Varsity Semifinals of the 34th Annual Chester County Academic Competition at the Chester County Intermediate Unit in Downingtown.

“Today is a day where our students begin to showcase the results of the great investment that our communities, schools, teachers, coaches, parents, families, and they themselves have put into their studies,” Dinniman, who serves minority chair of the Senate Education Committee, said. “I wish the best of luck to the teams and thank the Intermediate Unit, the competition’s sponsor, Franklin Mint Credit Union, and all those who’ve helped make this annual event a Chester County tradition. May the best team win.”

Now in its 34th year, the Chester County Academic Competition provides an opportunity for students from 24 high schools to compete in a “college-bowl” format where students answer challenging questions from a variety of categories including literature, math, science, American and world history, geography, and contemporary events.

All teams, seeded based upon their cumulative performance in four preliminary matches during the 2017/18 season, will compete in the semi-final matches today, and March 1. Winning teams will advance to the championship match on March 20.

SUBMITTED PHOTO State Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19, right, presents opening remarks to students at the Varsity Semifinals of the 34th Annual Chester County Academic Competition. To his left is Jim Stoddard, a professional actor and voiceover artist, who serves as...