Woodard wins 2008 Current Events Challenge

"What famous racecar driver came to Yuma in March for Midnight at the Oasis?"

This was the winning question that the Woodard Junior High School team answered when they won the 2008 Current Events Challenge.

"Mario Andretti," replied the Woodard team.

On Wednesday, 18 Yuma area schools participated in the competition, which tests students' knowledge of current events. The questions are taken from articles in The Sun newspaper, which also sponsors the event.

Niles Getz was on the Woodard team and said that after his win he felt "so excited and hyper. We've been practicing since January like three times a week and we just worked hard."

Anthony Gaither, also on the Woodard team, said "I couldn't be happier right now. I'm especially proud of my teammates for their outstanding job."

Woodard received a banner, gold medal and $75 dollar gift cards for its first place win. Amerischools, which took second, received a silver medal with $50 gift cards, and Ronald Regan, who got third place, received a bronze medal and $25 dollar gift cards.

The buzzer round started at 4:30 p.m. and three hours later the competition was down to four schools which included Ronald Regan, O.C. Johnson, Amerischools, and Woodard Junior High School.

After 35 rounds it was down to only two schools - Amerischools and Woodard. Each round consisted of seven questions and students were given a tie-breaker question if needed.

Woodard and Amerischools were tied in the 36th round and after three tie-breaker questions, Woodard took home first place.

Jasmine Ramirez, of Woodard, said, "I feel great because we really supported each other, (and) we practiced hard."

Rachael Nickle, Woodard Junior High team's coach, said "We're very excited and it's been a really long time coming for Woodard, because we have come in second place. Last year we didn't do very well, and this year I just had a feeling that this team would go far and they have. They're just beyond my expectations."

TOP FINISHERS

• First place - Woodard Junior High School: Arturo Vargas, Anthony Gaither, Niles Getz, Yaide Mercado, Nikki Lamb, Jazmine Ramirez

• Second Place - Amerischools: Jacob Cypert, Maria Rodrigez, Haley Wright, Alexis Estrada, Tia Hebert, Ashley Taylor

• Third Place - Ronald Regan: Lindsay Justice, Derek Lee, Sieon Hwang, Elijah McBride, Seth Walters, Mallory Jenkins

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

• Pecan Grove

• Mary A. Otondo

• Rio Colorado Elementary

• Ronald Reagan

• Gila Vista Junior High

• Amerischools Academy

• Ed Pastor Elementary

• Rancho Viejo

• Harvest Preparatory Academy

• G.W. Carver

• James B. Rolle

• O.C. Johnson

• Cesar Chavez Elementary School

• Mary Elizabeth Post

• Tierra Del Sol

• Palmcroft

• Castle Dome Middle School

• Woodard Junior High

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Jennifer Lovell can be reached at jlovell@yumasun.com or 539-6849.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Story updated May 8th, 2008.