Monmouth Academy team ready to take 'Challenge'
BY BARI FAYE SIEGEL Correspondent

A team of students representing the Monmouth Academy, Howell, will appear on News 12 New Jersey's "The Challenge" quiz show. The program will air this weekend on the Cablevision network. Team members are pictured here with News 12 New Jersey anchorman Bryan Jenkins (center, back row), who hosts "The Challenge."

HOWELL- With the onslaught of reality shows now on television, you may be thinking that you can't take one more half hour of stupid human tricks and mindboggling brain teasers. Wait! Here comes one you just have to watch, and it's guaranteed to intrigue and amuse. You may even spot someone you know.

All-star student scholars from the Monmouth Academy, Lanes Mill Road, took on Eastern Christian High School, North Haledon, in the first round of the 11th season of Cablevision's "The Challenge." The first airing of the match is set for this weekend on News 12 New Jersey, channel 12 on the local Cablevision system.

Taping of the first round took place in the fall in New York City and no one is talking about who won.

"You have to watch," senior Kyle Flannery of Lakewood said.

As a new season of "The Challenge" progresses, schools will vie each week to continue on in the competition, which ultimately results in the best teams from each Cablevision region facing off against each other next spring. Regional champions will then compete for the ultimate title of Tri-State Challenge Champion. The winning team in each region will receive $2,500 and go on to compete for $10,000 in the Tri-State Championship. Each student participating in the championship match will receive $500.

When the show airs, if Monmouth Academy is victorious in its match against Eastern Christian, the local team will head into round two and continue vying for the prize money.

"This was one of the most fun experiences of my life. My palms were sweating the whole time, but it was so much fun. I'm planning to apply to be on 'Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader' now," Kyle said.

"The Challenge" is an academic quiz show designed to test students' knowledge in a Jeopardy-style format. Cablevision, through Power to Learn, maintains it is committed to the development and education of students in the tri-state area, and airs "The Challenge" in an effort to allow students to learn in a fun and engaging way.M

ore than 735 students representing 147 tri-state area high schools are participating in this season of "The Challenge." Teams are typically made up of students who are at the top of their class - academic all-stars who compete based on their knowledge of history, arts and literature, math and science.

In addition to Kyle, the Monmouth Academy team is made up of Elliot Chester, Charles Lubic, Cody Pollack and Melissa Roth. The team's academic advisers are Bonnie Bischoff and Lawrence Goebel.

Goebel said the team members practiced hard, playing Trivial Pursuit weekly and watching past episodes of "The Challenge" and other quiz shows.

Senior Cody Pollack of Freehold recalled the intense preparation but said it was all worth it.

"We prepared for the game show for about a month before participating in it. We had several meetings where our teachers would ask us trivia questions about history, literature, math, science, and other topics. Even though it was nearly impossible to prepare for the exact trivia that they would ask us at the competition, getting accustomed to the quick questions and answers was a great help in learning to think fast and coming to the right answer as quickly as possible."

"Every year 'The Challenge' generates excitement not only for the participating schools, but also for television audiences who enjoy playing along at home," said Trent Anderson, Cablevision's vice president of education. "The 11th season promises fierce competition - and an exciting half hour of television each week for viewers of all ages."

For senior Melissa Roth of Howell, the excitement really started when the team got to the Cablevision studios to tape the first round of the competition.

"We were led onto the set and given microphones. Our audience, which included high school students, some faculty members, and parents, was very loud and supportive," Melissa said.

"The pressure was high and we were all very nervous when the cameras, lights, and audience's eyes were all on us," Cody added. "The audience was filled to the max with supporters, and the Monmouth Academy supporters easily outnumbered fans from Eastern Christian. We even had a kid in a gator mask (Monmouth Academy's mascot). The competition was tough and the questions were difficult and from categories like chemistry and John Adams. After it was over, we met the host, Bryan Jenkins, who is a News 12 New Jersey anchorman."

Melissa added, "Overall, this was a great experience for me that will stay with me for a lifetime."

Team alternate Elliot is a freshman who may not get to play this season but is just as happy cheering his teammates on. In fact, learning to be a part of the team, he said, has been the best part of the experience.

"One thing I definitely gained from this experience is that teamwork is key. To be successful in 'The Challenge' each person on the team is strong in a particular subject, which helps the team to cover a broad range of facts," Elliot said.

The first round match-up between Monmouth Academy and Eastern Christian will air exclusively on News 12 New Jersey at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Jan. 19, with an encore airing Jan. 20, also at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.

"The Challenge" can also be viewed anytime through video on demand (VOD) through News 12 Interactive, located on iO TV Channel 612.