SIC Hosts Area’s Top Students for Annual Academic Challenge Competition

Nearly 130 high school students from the region met on the campus of Southeastern Illinois College Thursday, Feb. 9, to take a series of regional exams as part of the Academic Challenge for Science and Engineering, sponsored by Eastern Illinois University (EIU).

Eight high schools came to SIC to battle in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering graphics, English, mathematics, and physics. Those schools were Carmi-White County, Carrier Mills-Stonefort, Eldorado, Galatia, Gallatin, Hardin, Harrisburg, and Norris City-Omaha-Enfield.

Each high school competes against other schools in the same division, which is based on school enrollment, and awards are given to both individual competitors and teams. The event was hosted by the SIC Math, Science, and Technology Division and organized by SIC mathematics instructor Kim Martin.

Coaches were treated to a continental breakfast while students were testing, and competitors enjoyed a brunch box between rounds.

“We are happy to carry on this tradition of many decades, hosting the regional competition of the Academic Challenge for Science and Engineering (formerly JETS and WYSE) here at Southeastern,” said Martin. “The exams are meant to present a ‘challenge’ to the brightest students, written by professional engineers and faculty members from across the United States, with test material drawn from high school senior and college freshman coursework. We congratulate all students for being selected to represent their schools, and wish all those who qualified to advance to sectionals the best possible outcomes. We are delighted to welcome these impressive teams and their coaches to our campus every year, and they bring with them the best spirit and enthusiasm!”

In the small school (300) division, Gallatin County High School won first place, followed by Norris City-Omaha-Enfield High School in second and Hardin County High School in third.

In the large school (700) division, Harrisburg High School took first place with Carmi-White County High School in second.

Regional first and second place winners, both in team and individual competition, qualify for sectional exams, which will be held March 15 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). Winners at sectionals will advance to the Illinois state finals to be held at EIU April 10-13 at EIU. The 300 division will compete on April 10 and the 700 division will compete on April 11.

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Individual Results can be found here: Academic Challenge 2023 Individual Results Division 300 And 700

Captions for photos:

1 –  Gallatin County High School won first place in the Academic Challenge 300 Division at SIC. Pictured (not listed in order) are: Bailee Brown, Brooklyn Sanders, Elizabeth Abell, Ella Dennison, Erica Johnson, Kindrie Streeter, Lillie McDonald, Madi Cruson, Blake Stanford, Braiden Respondek, Carter Seely, Cash Ward, Isaac Walters, Rylie Rushing, Sam Howard, Sidney Raymer, Jaxson Buckman, Jeff Gmerek, Preston Wilson, Grant Holmes, Owen Wargel, Sydney Bickett, Addison Reed, Olivia Moore, Rihanna Shegog, Sophie Howard, and Hayden Moore. The team is coached by Billy Joe Menard and David Matthews.

2 – Harrisburg High School won first place in the Academic Challenge 700 Division at SIC. Pictured (not listed in order) are: Alahni Ward, Kylan Jerrell, Noah Arnold, Skye Casey, Sofia Brombaugh, Sophie Williams, McKenna Boon , Paige Potts, Ross Rider, Sadie Foy, Jake Blimline, Luke Winkleman, Mark Miller, and Wekey Wang. The team is coached by Elizabeth Dawe.

3 – Norris City-Omaha-Enfield High School took second place in the Academic Challenge 300 Division at SIC. Pictured (not listed in order) are: Amanda Bradley, Braden Mendoza, Bree Vollman, Hollan Everett, Lydia Vinyard, Avery Black, Elise Hortin, Hannah Taylor, Kole Roser, Lauren Poole, Reagan Goebel, Joel Hortin, and Keegan McDonald. The team is coached by Nikki Tarrant.

4 – Carmi-White County High School finished in second place in the Academic Challenge 700 Division at SIC. Pictured (not listed in order) are: Andrew May, Caroline Simmons, Colton Spence, Courtney Snow, Gracie Rawlinson, Jaya Smith, Jovie Wagner, Lane Connoway, Sadie Balding, Shae Mendonca, Victoria Duckworth, Andrew Dodgson, Kale Wiggins, Luke Bolerjack, Saylor Mason, Tyler Adams, Devani Mendonca, Ava Shiever, Gage Atteberry, Jaden Sauls, Kyler Fisher, Maggie Gross, Joseph Gates, and Tyler Goemaat. The team is coached by Emily Driscoll.

5 – Hardin County High School earned third place in the Academic Challenge 300 Division at SIC. Pictured (not listed in order) are: Aaliyah Littrell, Briley McDowell, Hailey McDowell, Morgan Fricker, Alexis DeGrave, Emery Stricklin, Nyla Sheftic, Trinity Smock, Dawson Prior, Madeline Kaylor, Maddison Hepp, Mallory Settles, Aiden Vaughn, Calista Conley, Kenly Pickering, and Madison Mott. The team is coached by Ian Jones and Travis DeNeal.

6 – Carrier Mills–Stonefort High School competed in the 300 Division of the Academic Challenge at SIC. Competitors (most pictured, but not listed in order) are: Braydon Harmon, Braydon Kirk, Carson VanDyke, Kaylee Horn, Nakaya Miller, Nate Shafer, Brianna Cullers, Kaylee Klope, Layna Odum, Lizzie Bristow, Devyn Valdez, Morgan Murphy, Zoe Threlkeld, and Mattie Kerley. The team is coached by Mike Eisenhauer.

7 – Eldorado High School competed in the 700 Division of the Academic Challenge at SIC. Competitors (most pictured, but not listed in order) are: Chesney Cook, Karis Lane, Kenlee Grisham, Noah Turner, Parker Price, Austin Collins, Maxwell Berry, Austin Robinson, Lora Forster, Brock Newman, and Kylee Oglesby. The team is coached by Jeremiah Wells.

8 – Galatia High School competed in the 300 Division of the Academic Challenge at SIC. Pictured (not listed in order) are: Halle Morris, Jaci Wood, Dane Jenkins, Owen Campbell, Andre Williams, Carter Wiseman, Jack Johnston, and Lucas Stricklin. The team is coached by Thomas Morgan.