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MOOSEHEART, IL - In terms of winning of a competition, the cry should have been “Vive La France!”
But in reality, the overwhelming feeling coming away from this year’s World Academic Challenge was “Vive Mooseheart!”
On Feb. 16, Mooseheart’s students from kindergarten through high school split into 10 teams for competition with a twist. There were a number of relay races and team-based trivia quizzes – but everything was based on knowledge of the 10 country teams into which the school had been divided.
“France” won that competition by a single point over second-placed "Lithuania."
“It’s good to win, but it’s more about what you learned,” Team France member Blake Mason said. “I think that we won shows that we know a lot about France because we’ve been studying a lot about it – the government and the language and other things about the country.”
The closeness of the competition showed that the other teams were taking their task just as seriously as was Team France.
“Everybody learned more about their countries,” Mason said. “And when you hear the other questions for the other teams to answer, you learn more about their countries too.”
While Team France did well in the relay race competitions that all had a geographic title, where the team excelled was in responding to questions about their country.
“I think we did really well on our questions,” Team France member Melissa Quitoriano said. “It was a long day, but it was fun. I always like to be able to help the younger kids with what they’re doing.”
Each team was made of elementary, middle school and high school members. The 10 countries chosen this year were France, Lithuania, Uruguay, Finland, Thailand, Costa Rica, Sierra Leone, Kenya and Australia.
“I learned a bunch of cool places to go in France, which will help a lot as I’m actually getting to go there this summer,” Quitoriano said. “I’ll know some places I really want to go and see.”
The bonding between the team members was important and a planned part of the week’s activities.
“We group these multi-age groups so the younger kids are there with the older kids and the older ones help out,” Mooseheart Library Director Sharon LaRocco. “Our kids had strong academics. They really remembered.”
Friday’s competition had an Olympic feel. The teams marched in as country groups. There were relay races, which all involved teamwork rather than individual prowess. In one, a non-blindfolded team member had to guide blindfolded teammates through a variety of obstacles in a contest called “Surviving the Outback” in a nod toward competing country Australia.
The competition ended with a “figure skating” competition among adult members of each team.
“The unique thing is doing it while having fun,” Mooseheart Superintendent of Education Gary Urwiler said. “The kids have been geared up. They were enthusiastic, knowing that something was coming up.”
The number of questions asked and answered was increased this year, Urwiler said.
“Last year, we had a couple of maps but we didn’t do as much,” Urwiler said. “We decided to a little more in-depth. The kids really picked and learned all that they could about their countries.”
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France wins: Members of Team France celebrate their victory in the World Academic Challenge with the rest of the Mooseheart school community.
Nic Grasty carries the flag as Team Lithuania enters the Mooseheart Fieldhouse prior to the start of the World Academic Challenge.
Team Finland member Tara Janssen (without blindfold) negotiates an obstacle while team member Erin Stryker waits. Devin Moore (blue shirt) of Team Costa Rica works his way through the obstacle while members of Team Thailand also try to make their way through.
In another relay, Team Costa Rica works together to roll its "raft" across the Mooseheart Fieldhouse basketball court. From left, team members are Josie Stone, Devin Moore and Christian Taylor.
Team Lithuania show their synchronized footwork in another of the World Academic Challenge relay races. From left, team members are Nic Grasty, Christa Rueter, Tabby Gorrell, Fajah Span, Adrianna Tezanos-Pinto and Mike Tovar.
Kenya adult members Kristy Wenberg (left) and Jim Evans compete in the "figure skating" competition.
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