Utica International Academy Takes Top Honors In State Quiz Bowl

Utica Academy for International Studies, along with Detroit Catholic Central and Detroit County Day emerged from the 2011 State Championship High School Quiz Bowl tournament with state titles in their respective classes.

More than 700 Michigan high school students from across the state gathered at Michigan State University on April 15-16 to participate in the competition, which was started by former Senate Majority Leader Dan L. DeGrow 24 years ago.

The event, sponsored by the Michigan State University Honors College and Meijer, Inc., was held at MSU for the eleventh time.

The State Quiz Bowl consists of three simultaneous tournaments: Class A, Class B and Class C/D. The competition is double-elimination and is open to quiz teams who have won either a league championship or major tournament.

Detroit Catholic Central High School won first place in the Class A competition, Dexter High School took second and the team from Okemos High School placed third.

Detroit Country Day won the Class B competition, second place went to DeWitt High School and St. Joseph High School placed third in this bracket.

Utica Academy for International Studies won the Class C/D competition, second place went to the Hillsdale Academy and third place went to Michigan Lutheran High School.

The Utica Academy team, coached by William Dobbie was comprised of members Nicola Fiorvento, Kyle St. Peter, Lucas Weingartz, Troy Zuccaro, Gordon Smilnak, and Aaron Rea.

Weingartz was awarded All State Honors for Class C/D.

The Utica Academy for International Studies is a four-year, 9-12 International Baccalaureate Diploma Program offered by Utica Community Schools.

All three championship teams have the chance to compete in other national quiz bowl competitions. The high school quiz bowl will be in Atlanta May 27-29.

 For more information, visit www.naqt.com.