by Eamonn Gonzalez
Academic Competition Club takes the concept of Jeopardy and makes it a team effort. While Jeopardy has the potential to be about anything in that category, the competitions have tailored the questions to fit a high school students understanding. The supervisors, Mr. Pietz Jr. and Mr. Pietz Sr., allow the club’s atmosphere to feel refreshing.
“[Academic Competition Club] has been a favorite of mine since freshman year. While allowing me to reacquaint me with material I learned in previous classes, it also allows me to learn new material on topics I had never heard of. The memories I have of the [Academic Competition Club] will always be fond ones.” said Mehdi Lemdani, member.
Despite how well the club has done in recent years, ACC has been kept under the radar. Only boasting numbers of fifteen members on a good day, the club will begin to struggle with loyal members next year. Of the fifteen current members, eight are seniors and of the remaining seven, four are juniors.
Members of the club, Miles and Malik George, urge anyone who’s interested in expanding their knowledge, or putting what one already knows to the test, to join. “This club isn’t for the ‘smart kids.’ It’s for the kids who just like to better themselves,” Miles said.
Despite the growing concern for what will be the club’s legacy, junior Sarah Nunez said, “We get into the fun of things as soon as Mr. Pietz, Jr. starts opening the boards. Questions range greatly, from potpourri to more specific topics such as ‘Things that start with T.’ While answering the questions is a lot of fun, I think it’s really the people that allow such a great atmosphere. Whether you’ve been here for four years or you’re a freshman entering for your first day, everyone welcomes you with open arms. We all joke around with each other and love to have a great time, which is what really allows distinguishes us from other clubs in my opinion.”
Meetings are held every Thursday in room 108 from 2:30 to 3:45 every week. There are competitions which always require a permission slip and are sometimes held during school hours, so students will be required to make up work missed. Competitions are not required for students to stay in the club.
