Delco Hi-Q
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Delco Hi-Q is a quiz competition in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1948.
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[edit] History
Delco Hi-Q is the oldest continuous academic quiz competition in the United States. It was started as radio quiz program for high school students in Delaware County, Pennsylvania by the Scott Paper Company. "Hi" represented "High School" and "Q" represented "I.Q." The first prize in 1948 was a $1,000 "auditorium style" television set.
The success of Scott’s Hi-Q in Delaware County led Scott Paper to introduce the program across the country. Hi-Q National Director, Donna Zerby, helped the competition expand in 1976 to Washington State, in 1977 to Wisconsin/Michigan, in 1982 to Maine, in 1984 to Arkansas, and in 1987 to Alabama.
After the merger of Scott Paper with Kimberly-Clark Corp. in 1997, Kimberly-Clark Corporation-Chester Operations, became the primary sponsor and the twenty-one area high schools began financially contributing to the program. The Delaware County Education Foundation was established to help continue the program. Donna Zerby remained as director.
In 2004, the Delaware County Education Foundation merged with The Foundation of the Delaware County Chamber. At that time the Chamber Foundation and the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) agreed to become joint sponsors of the program. DCIU provided program and production management and the Foundation was responsible for the awards ceremony and fund raising.
Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union [1]joined Delco Hi-Q as a primary corporate sponsor in 2004 and has made a long-term commitment to strengthen and sponsor the program and the Partners in Education Celebration.
[edit] Contest Information
Twenty-one Delaware County high schools participate in Delco Hi-Q.
Each school team is composed of up to ten students. Each school hosts one contest during the standard season.
Questions are prepared from 14 subjects.
Based primarily on the content of standard high school courses. General scholastic knowledge that the students can be expected to have acquired at school or elsewhere. Guidelines and/or specific reference material are provided when the category is not usually a standard high school course. In Standard season competition, there are three rounds: Each team plays once in each round. Three teams compete on stage in each contest. The total cumulative points each team earns in the three contests in which it competes determine standings. Total points determine entry into the Semifinal Round and Championship Match.
The highest-scoring team at the end of the regular season automatically becomes a participant in the Championship Match and does not compete in the Semifinals. The Semifinal Round is a six-team competition. From points accumulated during the regular season, the second highest-scoring team will play teams in positions six and seven. The third highest-scoring team will play teams in positions four and five. In the single-contest Championship Match, the two semifinal winners compete against the highest-scoring team from the standard season. All teams start at zero in the semifinal and the championship match.
[edit] Awards
In the Championship Match, first, second and third place teams win cash awards for their schools of $3,000, $2,500 and $2,000 respectively.
A revolving trophy is presented annually to the Champion for display by that school throughout the next season. A permanent award is also presented to the top school. Individually engraved plaques are awarded to each school. Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and Kimberly-Clark Corporation Chester Operations sponsor awards for each team.
The Partners in Education Celebration was started in 2005. What was once a luncheon honoring the three top teams, became a 600-person banquet honoring all of the Delco Hi-Q participants. The dinner is held annually and is presented by the Foundation and DCIU. Jeopardy host Alex Trebek served as the guest speaker and 6ABC's Action News anchor Rick Williams was master of ceremonies for the first celebration.
DCIU and Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union started the Delco Hall of Honor in the same year. Its purpose is to honor past participants and supporters and to provide role models for current Hi-Q participants Another new tradition began in 2005, DCIU and FMFCU partnered with the Delaware County Daily Times to start the tradition of the All Delco Hi-Q Team. Donna Zerby was the first inductee into the Hall of Honor and considered it the greatest honor of her 42 year Hi-Q career.
After the passing of Donna in 2005, Ginger Beaumont agreed to serve as director for the 2005/06 season. Mrs. Beaumont had previously spent six years coordinating the Delaware County program under the direction of Mrs. Zerby. The 2005/06 season was dedicated in memory of Donna and her 42 year association with Hi-Q. The revolving championship trophy was renamed the "Donna Zerby Trophy."
In 2006, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union signed an agreement with DCIU to provide question resources and Program Directors to Delco Hi-Q. Ginger Beaumont remained with Hi-Q and served as Co-Director with Rick Durante of FMFCU until 2007.
As of the 2007/2008 Season Rick Durante of Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union serves as Director, Tom McCarthy is Quizmaster, Michelle Skrobak is Hi-Q Assistant, and production engineer is Dave Bramble from Delaware County Intermediate Unit.
In addition to the participating schools’ support, primary corporate sponsor is Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union. Valedictorian sponsor is Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Contributors and supporters for the 2007/2008 season are the Delaware County Daily Times and Hilbush Foundation.
[edit] Finalists 1949-2007
*The champion schools no longer participate in Hi-Q because of school mergers.
[edit] References
[2]Delco Hi-Q
[3]Everett Washington Hi-Q
[4] Wisconsin Hi-Q
