THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 30, 1997 TAG: 9701280114
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 109 lines
The normally quiet atmosphere of the library at Booker T. Washington High School gave way to exuberant celebration the other day as about 60 students, faculty and friends gathered for the annual Norfolk Academic Challenge end-of-season awards ceremony.
A contingent of drummers from the school's marching band strode in and delivered two rousing percussion routines that had toes tapping and the walls shaking.
The students and teachers at Booker T. had reason to celebrate. The school's academic challenge team had finished the season undefeated, emerging in first place among the city's five public high schools by a wide margin.
As a winner at the district level, Booker T.'s team will go on to the regionals, to be held at Hermitage High School in Newport News on Mar. 21.
``It was great to be on the winning team,'' Booker T. team co-captain Stephanie Rosheim said at the event last Thursday. ``Everyone wanted it and we made it happen through teamwork.''
Added co-captain Kevin Corprew: ``I'm glad we made number one. I wholeheartedly knew we could do it.''
All of the city's high school teams were represented at the celebration. The teams compete against each other on Thursdays during the first semester, answering questions drawn from all academic subjects taught at the high school level. Answers must be provided within a narrow time limit. Each player, in competition, has a buzzer to signal the moderator when the student knows an answer. Team members may consult with one another to pool their knowledge.
Questions fielded during the contests included ``What is the oldest parliamentary body in the new world?'' (Answer: the Icelandic Althing), ``What shape has a volume equal to `2 pi rh'?'' (Answer: a cylinder) and ``What tool would you use to change a tire?'' (Answer: a jack). Another question required translating a phrase from German into French.
According to media specialist Sara Van Hoose, the Booker T. coach, one student in the heat of competition answered the tire-changing question with ``a crow-bar.'' He recognized his error immediately, she said, but the gaffe earned him the nickname ``Crow-bar,'' which has stuck ever since.
Because of the appearance Thursday by the marching band and a party including pizza, popcorn, and soft drinks, a scheduled contest between students and teachers did not take place. In previous student-teacher face-offs, Van Hoose said, the students had won.
The students, she explained, had practiced every Tuesday and Wednesday for the Thursday competitions. No explanation was necessary concerning the enthusiasm and exuberance they brought to the activity. It was impossible to miss.
``Basically, it felt great to be on the team,'' said Booker T. team member Terry Edwards. ``I've been on the team for three years. I learned that my best game was when I didn't score that much, because I put some faith in my teammates and let them take one.''
Team members were presented with a variety of trophies, key rings, ribbons and certificates. The major trophy, rotated among the winning schools from year to year, was presented to Van Hoose for Booker T. by coach Julie Buhl from Maury, last year's winner.
Gag gifts were also presented to Booker T.'s starters. Edwards, identified as a math wizard, received a small calculator. The student known as ``Crow-bar'' received a set of small plastic tools.
Buhl has 16 students on her team at Maury. Coach Fred Hartnett, at Granby, has 12. Longtime coach Donna Whalen has eight at Lake Taylor. Coach Linda Mayfield, at Norview, has seven. At Booker T., 17 students comprised the winning team.
``The nice thing about the challenge is it reinforces their classroom work,'' Van Hoose said. ``Great friendships are formed, too. They help each other.''
It was a special day for Van Hoose for another reason. It was her birthday and, after the ceremony, her students wouldn't let her forget it, presenting her with flowers, a gift and a rousing rendition of ``Happy Birthday.''
Said Van Hoose: ``It's a heck of a party, isn't it?'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos by DAWSON MILLS
Champion team: coach Sara Van Hoose, front row left, Noel Miciano,
Stephanie Rosheim and Tony Sawi; back row left, Terry Edwards,
Michael Nobles, Kevin Corprew, Bianca Mitchell and Jeffrey Rubis.
Co-captains Stephanie Rosheim and Kevin Corprew show their trophy.
Graphics
THE WINNING TEAM
Aaron Applegate, 14, 9th grade
Angelo Caldwell, 14, 9th grade
Kevin Corprew, 17, 12th grade, co-captain*
Chris Dutra, 16, 10th grade
Brandy Dyke, 14, 9th grade
Terry Edwards, 17, 11th grade*
Alexander Harper, 15, 10th grade
Noel Miciano, 18, 11th grade*
Bianca Mitchell, 16, 10th grade*
Michael Nobles, 16, 11th grade*
Amanda Permenter, 15, 10th grade
Yusef Pogue, 14, 9th grade
Daniel Ritchie, 15, 10th grade
Stephanie Rosheim, 17, 12th grade, co-captain*
Jeffrey Rubis, 16, 11th grade*
Tony Sawi, 17, 11th grade*
Katrina Scott, 17, 11th grade
* denotes starter
TEAM STANDINGS
SCHOOLS WINS-LOSES
Booker T. Washington 8-0
Granby 5-3
Maury 3-5
Lake Taylor 2-6
Norview 2-6