Penn State DuBois hosts Junior and Senior Scholastic Challenge competitions

DuBOIS, Pa. — Penn State DuBois recently welcomed middle and high school students from across the region to campus for the Junior and Senior Scholastic Challenges, two longstanding academic competitions that celebrate knowledge, teamwork and quick thinking.

The Junior Scholastic Challenge, featuring students in grades five through eight, was held on Feb. 19, followed by the Senior Scholastic Challenge for high school students on March 4. Both competitions took place in Hiller Auditorium and included teams representing Brockway Area, Brookville Area, Clearfield Area, DuBois Area, DuBois Central Catholic and St. Marys Area school districts.

Serving as master of ceremonies for the competitions was Michael Clement, CEO of Alliance Forge Corp. The junior event opened with a performance of the national anthem by Remi Osselborn, followed by welcoming remarks from Chancellor Jungwoo Ryoo, who greeted students, advisers, families and community members attending the event.

“Hosting the Scholastic Challenges is a cornerstone tradition for Penn State DuBois,” Ryoo said. “It is a powerful reflection of our community spirit and our commitment to reaching out and supporting the regions we serve. Every year, I am struck by the growth I see in these students — both literally and figuratively — as they return to our campus. I find myself learning a new thing or two right alongside them; it is truly an inspiring experience for everyone involved.”

Students competed in a series of fast-paced rounds of questions spanning science, literature, grammar, mathematics and social studies. The competitions tested both individual knowledge and teamwork as students worked together to answer questions quickly and accurately.

In the Junior Scholastic Challenge, St. Marys Area earned first place, followed by DuBois Area in second place, DuBois Central Catholic in third, and Brookville Area in fourth place. Students representing St. Marys Area included Kayd Caskey, Eli Ickes, Max Keebler, Angelo Yost, and Rocco Ruffner, with Jamie Caskey serving as adviser.

The Senior Scholastic Challenge concluded with DuBois Area High School earning first place after the final rounds of competition. The winning team included Hannah Rehar, Michael Stainbrook, Molly Sensor, Paul McCloskey, and Sonia Parekh with Chris Taylor serving as adviser. Throughout the evening, students from across the participating schools demonstrated strong academic ability and enthusiasm as they worked through multiple rounds of challenging questions.

Judges for the competitions included Scott Muirhead, lecturer in business administration, and Keely Roen, associate teaching professor of wildlife technology, for the junior event. Judges for the senior competition included Tammy Ott and Lola Smith.

The events were hosted by Carol Foltz of Coldwell Banker Developac Realty.

“It’s always exciting to see students come together and challenge themselves academically,” said Foltz, who hosts the annual event. “The Scholastic Challenge has become a wonderful tradition for our community, and it’s rewarding to watch these students showcase their knowledge and support one another.”

Now in its 36th year for the Senior Scholastic Challenge and 28th year for the Junior Scholastic Challenge, the events continue to bring students from across the region together at Penn State DuBois to celebrate academic excellence while fostering a spirit of friendly competition and intellectual curiosity. Community sponsors and volunteers also contributed to making the annual competitions possible.