On Friday, March 22, ten students–two teams– representing each grade level from Shelby High School traveled to Simms High School to compete in the Region II Principal’s Cup academic trivia challenge. Annually, schools from AA, A, B, and C schools in central Montana meld multi-grade level teams of bright and knowledgeable students to duel in an academic battle of the minds.
The event started at 9 am with individual awards for students who ranked in the top 10 of all students for each grade level. Notably, both freshman students from Shelby placed in the top 10 for individual test scores. Aeris Stewart placed 10th and Grayson Barker placed 4th. Barker joyously told his teammates, “This is going on the fridge!” when he received his certificate with a smile.
At the beginning of the day, the Principal's Cup committee also awards two seniors with $500 scholarships. This year, Shelby student Delaney Clark was awarded one of these scholarships. Clark said she applied for the scholarship but was surprised when her name was called. “I appreciate how the principals from Region II fund a scholarship to support students even after they move on to college,” Clark said. Principal Kyle Fisher proudly congratulated her.
After individual awards were given, student teams dispersed into selected rooms to compete against other schools in a series of rounds that followed a bracket.
Thumbs ready to press the red button and be the first team to buzz in, each team of 5 students sizes up the opposing school and nervously waits for the first of the 16 random questions. Freshman Aeris Stewart, who competed for the first time this year said, “it was nerve-racking at first, but then it started to feel like a fun game of Jeopardy.”
Prior to the competition, individual students took a proctored and timed 100-question test based on random trivia questions in Math, Science, History, English, and Fine Arts. Then, the individual scores are compiled to create a team score for seeding purposes. Each of the school’s teams are placed in a bracket with several rounds of trivia questions.
In the weeks leading up to the event, academic advisors Sanna Clark and Kristi Calvery held lunch practices for students. Students also spent time reviewing books and authors, math equations, and science terminology. Some students also read short biographies of scientists and important people in history. Clark also used the time to explain to students the rules and scoring: 5pts for correct answers, and negative 2pts. for incorrect answers.
The competition is fun for students, but teacher Kristi Calvery said she also believes it is significant and beneficial for schools to continue. “There are many reasons why I believe this competition is important. First, it creates a comradery among our students, who all have an eclectic set of knowledge and experiences: Kobe Hooker may solve a math equation, Aeris Stewart might know the author of a novel, and Grayson Barker knows how many pieces are in a chess game. I also believe it cultivates motivation for students to learn more. This year our students scored very closely with many of the schools, and they put in tremendous effort,” Calvery said.
Principal’s Cup has been an annual event for 21 years, and Principal Fisher said he looks forward to it every year. “Principal Cup is always a fun day for our students to showcase their academic skills. I am proud of our students for the hard work they put in and for representing Shelby High School well.”
Senior, Delaney Clark received a $500 scholarship at the Region II Principal's Cup Academic Trivia Bowl on March 22, 2024.