Thousands of students compete in Academic Rodeo

Published 12:26 pm Thursday, February 1, 2018

Middle school students from Lindale Junior High compete in the Academic Challenge Quiz at the East Texas State Fairgrounds on Thursday Feb. 1, 2018. The Academic Challenge Quiz is a team quiz bowl presented in two levels - Middle School for grades 6 through 8 and High School for grades 9 through 12. Each team consists of 6 students with four competing in a match. The Middle School level is a double-elimination tournament. Pictured from left: Zane Gano, JD Locknane and Lauren Van Andel. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Students from more than 100 East Texas school districts squared off to see who could rustle up the most points at the Academic Rodeo.

The annual event, sponsored by the East Texas State Fair, pits students against their peers from across the region in 14 distinct academic competitions.


The activities included classics such as academic quizzes and creative exercises like the Youth Fashion Show.

Director Deborah Newman said the event results in thousands of dollars worth of scholarships for students. All students in middle school or high school who place in the top three of each competition can apply for scholarships, which will be announced during a Feb. 23 awards ceremony. Newman said 300 students will be honored during the ceremony.

Newman said the event allows students from all types of schools to compete, as was evidenced by the final round of the Junior High Quiz Bowl, which saw the Brook Hill School facing off against Classical Conversations Lindale, a home-school cooperative.

After three tiebreakers, Brook Hill won the competition. Second place went to Classical Conversations and Lindale ISD took third.

Robert E. Lee won at the high school level on Monday.

For more information visit ETStateFair.com.