Academic bowl requires quick wits

Before Maureen Grady finished reading the question, Millie Smith buzzed in to correctly answer it and win a chance at answering four bonus questions for points.

Millie, an eighth grader at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School, was one of about 150 pupils battling in a fast-paced contest of wits Saturday. Pupils from 13 middle schools competed in the regional Professional Association of Georgia Educators Academic Bowl at St. Mary.

"This is where you get to see the really sharp minds from every school," said Millie, whose team, along with one from Evans Middle School, advanced to the semifinals, which will be held Jan. 24 in Milledgeville, Ga.

In the bowl rounds, pupils had the chance to answer questions in a variety of subjects, including science, music, history, math and English. The competition lasted for about three hours.

The Academic Bowl is an important extracurricular activity for the St. Mary contestants. The school has participated in the event for more than a decade and was second in the state in the 2004-05 school year.

The team meets before school three days a week to bone up on their facts.

"They are involved in so many after-school activities, before school was the only time they could do it," said Donna Skidmore, one of their teachers and advisers.

Pupils first try out for the team when they are in sixth grade, she said.

"They take a test. They begin in sixth grade, but they don't get to complete until seventh grade," she said.

The team brings together pupils with various strengths.

"I'm English and random info," said Millie, who added that other pupils are stronger in computers, math, science and history.

"I'm books," said Reba Baltrusaitis, another eighth grader on the team.

Pupils said being on the bowl team helps them in their daily studies. "We learn little things such as shortcuts in math," said Millie.

Since the bowl rounds require quick answers, pupils have to know how to figure out math problems quickly, she said.

"A lot carries over," said Brendan Quinn, another team member.

Reach Charmain Brackett at charmain.brackett@augustachronicle.com.