Delco Hi-Q preps for new season, welcomes VFMA
Delco Hi-Q teams are gearing up for a competitive 2016-2017 season and the addition of Valley Forge Military Academy to the 21team roster. VFMA took advantage of a rare opening to field for the first time a team of ten students to compete beginning this school year.
“The cadets are excited and eager to hit the ground running,” said Sandra Young, Head of School. “Anything that increases knowledge base and motivates learning is appealing to us. It’s nice to have a competitive outlet beyond the playing field.”
Rick Durante concurs. As the Delco Hi-Q Director and Vice President of Education for Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, Durante has witnessed the positive impact Hi-Q has had on schools in Delaware County. “Hi-Q is an ideal outlet for the cadets, who are accustomed to rigorous academics,” he said. “Their level of competitiveness is on par with the current Delco Hi-Q roster and we welcome the addition.”
The private, independent, college preparatory school joins the ranks of Radnor High School, Academy of Notre Dame, and Archbishop Carroll High School to be the fourth Radnor Township based school to participate in Delco Hi-Q. Also competing are Academy Park, Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast, Chester High, Chichester, Cardinal O’Hara, Delaware County Christian School, Garnet Valley, Interboro, Marple Newtown, Penncrest, Penn Wood, Ridley, Springfield, Strath Haven, Sun Valley, The Christian Academy and Upper Darby high schools.
VFMA are prepared to make their Delco Hi-Q debut Nov. 2, when all 21 teams meet for the first time this season to compete in the practice round session, a day-long event that kicks off the new season. The first contest in the regular season is slated for Thursday, Dec. 1, at Strath Haven High School. Teams will be tested on a wide range of categories such as Literature, World History, Physics, and Sports.
Delco Hi-Q has been a Delaware County tradition since 1948.
How Hi-Q Competitions Work
Each school team has ten members, and each school hosts one contest during the regular season. Three teams compete at each contest, and in the regular season competition there are three rounds. Questions prepared from 13 categories cover standard high school course content as well as general scholastic knowledge that students are expected to have acquired. Guidelines and specific reference material are provided to each team at the start of each season. Each participating high school hosts at least one regular season Hi-Q match. Team standings are determined by total cumulative earned points. At the end of the regular season, the highest scoring team bypasses the semi-final round to advance directly to the championship round. Teams ranking second through seventh compete in the semifinal round before advancing to the championship match.
About Delco Hi-Q
Delco Hi-Q is a partnership between Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) and Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (FMFCU). Veteran actor Tom McCarthy is Quizmaster, FMFCU Vice President Rick Durante serves as Director, FMFCU Community Education Manager Karen Hassett is Hi-Q Coordinator, and DCIU’s Dave Bramble is the production engineer.
In addition to support from participating schools, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and the Wilbur C. and Betty Lea Henderson Foundation are the primary corporate sponsors. Additional support comes from longtime sponsor Kimberly-Clark Corporation and the Delaware County Daily Times.
Stay up-to-date with Delco Hi-Q online at www. delcohiq.org, Facebook and Twitter.