Waltham Students Win Quiz Show Hosted By Famous Author

WALTHAM, MA — If you haven't heard, Waltham High School's Quiz Show team won the "High School Quiz Show Extra Credit" tournament over the weekend. The team played Hudson High School and the contest went into overtime; Waltham junior Anna Kraffmiller answered the final question with "Confucianism" to seal the win. The question was: "Reverence for family ancestors is the basis for what Chinese philosophy?"

Seniors Aaron Leblanc, Celeste Amorales, Daniel Nieves and juniors Anna represented Waltham along with coach Michael Russo and alternate junior Olivia Le.

"They all did a great job," Russo said in a phone interview with Patch.

The "Extra Credit" event took place at An Unlikely Story Bookstore & Café in Plainville. It was hosted by Jeff Kinney, author of the bestselling "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series. Kinney also happens to own the bookstore.

The competition was based on the televised competition version of the popular high school competition that airs on WGBH 2.

Kenny selected seven teams from the dozens that tried out for the televised show. So the group, including Billerica, Hudson, Mansfield, Maynard, Sacred Heart and Weston high schools, was invited to play in the second year of Extra Credit.

The Waltham team has tried out for the WGBH show several times but hasn't yet made it on. This was their second year they were invited to the Extra Credit show.

"It was all tied up after the game was over and went to a five-question tie breaker and it was pretty cool, Anna Kraffmiller buzzed in with the right answer and fireworks went off and everything," said Russo.

Well, fireworks in spirit, he clarified.

Host Kinney gave each student winner a trivia book, a gift card to his bookstore and a trophy made from a lamp that he dubbed the "knowledge lamp." He also gave them a tour of his studio and at least one student managed to get an autograph out of him, according to the coach.

"He's a terrific guy — funny MC, keeps it light," Russo said. "It's a fun time."

On Monday, when everyone was back at school, the team earned a mention in the morning announcements and plenty of congratulations.

The next goal for the team? Head to the main show, Russo said.

Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).