Ridgewood Students Put Knowledge To Test In Quiz Bowl Competition

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Ridgewood High School students put their knowledge of history to the test this weekend in a robust scholastic quiz competition attended by more than 20 area schools.

In the 13th annual regional History Bowl and Bee, held Saturday at Ridgewood High School, the home school's varsity team finished the Bowl team-based tournament at 5-0 and qualified for the National Championships, set to take place in April in Virginia.

Ridgewood student Joonho Oh reached the finals of the Bee tournament, participating as an individual, and qualified for nationals. He was the only one of four Ridgewood students to qualify.

Competing against 28 other teams, the Ridgewood varsity team placed fifth in the quiz bowl tournament. Hunter College High School, located in New York, claimed first place, and similarly, was the same school from which the Bee competition's winner is enrolled.

Also, worth a shoutout is Ridgewood's junior varsity team and one of the school's two junior varsity competitors, Aditya Rajesh, for finishing in the top half and also qualifying for nationals in their respective divisions.

The Bowl and Bee state contest at Ridgewood is one of about 150 tournaments organized by International Academic Competitions, which was founded by Ridgewood native David Madden, a 19-day champion on "Jeopardy!"

The quiz competitions, Madden said, "turn the study of history into an exciting mental sport."

"Students who excel in the Bowl and Bee are rewarded for studying hard and for exploring new topics on their own," he added. "Most importantly, students build self-confidence, learn good sportsmanship, and make friends with others who share their passion for history."