UCHS English Team takes top-3 honors

For the second consecutive year, the Union County High School Academic English team placed third in the final round of the Academic Super Bowl at Purdue University on May 5.

English team members Jonathan Roberts, Anna Porter, Coty Wyatt, Hayden Sims and coach Karla Barnhizer relished the accomplishment.

“The questions were so hard,” Barnhizer said. “They did what they could, and I am so proud that they made it to the finals.”

All state qualifying teams are presented medals at the end of the round. The Academic competition is divided into four divisions according to school enrollment. Union County teams compete in Class 3.

The top three teams in each division receive a plaque in addition to individual medals for each student. The first-place team also receives a large banner.

UC’s English team is the only area academic team to bring home a top-three placing in any subject area.

The UC Science and Math teams also competed at the state final round, but did not place.

Science team members are: Brian Anderson, William Mundy, Matt Carman, Emily Bantz, Meagan Ellinger, Maderia Ferrario, Maddy Bartos and Brittany Reece.

Members of the math team include: Chance Minges, Ethan Estes, Coty Wyatt, Hayden Sims and Jacob Nixon.

The team bus left UCHS before 6 a.m. and returned around 7 p.m.

The Science round was first on the program, scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. The Math round began at 1:30 p.m., and English started at 2:30 p.m.

During the two-hour break between the Science and Math rounds, UC students enjoyed an outdoor picnic, before heading back to Loeb Theater inside Stewart Center and the all-day schedule of academic competitions.

“It was a long day,” UC Academic coordinator Theresa Back said. “But I am so proud of all of them. It is really an accomplishment just to get here.”

Placings at the 2010 Indiana Academic Super Bowl Senior Division State Finals:

Class 3 - English

State Champion: Taylor HS, Kokomo; Runner-Up: Wapahani HS, Selma; Third Place: UNION COUNTY HS, Liberty.

Finalists: Andrean HS, Merrillville; Benton Central HS, Oxford; Forest Park HS, Ferdinand; North Posey HS, Poseyville.

Class 3 - Science

State Champion: North Knox HS, Bicknell; Runner-Up: Indian Creek HS, Trafalgar; Third Place: North Posey HS, Poseyville.

Finalists: Bishop Luers HS, Fort Wayne; Lapel HS, Lapel, Speedway HS, Speedway; Union County HS, Liberty.

Class 3 - Mathematics

State Champion: Taylor HS, Kokomo; Runner-Up: Park Tudor School, Indianapolis; Third Place: Tell City HS, Tell City.

Finalists: Andrean HS, Merrillville; Cardinal Ritter HS, Indianapolis; Union County HS, Liberty; Wheeler HS, Valparaiso.

Pictured above: Union County’s English Academic Team enjoys a bit of relaxation and fun after placing third in the English round at the 2012 Indiana Academic Super Bowl. Pictured left to right: Coach Karla Barnhizer, Brittany Reece, Anna Porter, Jonathan Roberts, Hayden Sims (kneeling) and Coty Wyatt.