Wyoming and Boone counties advance in academic showdown

Westside High School Team 1 secured first place in the Region 4 competition of the 2025 Academic Showdown held at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. The event, organized by the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) and Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College (SWVCTC), also saw Sherman Senior High School Team 1 from Boone County finish in second place. Both teams will advance to the finale at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston on April 30.

The competition featured teams from Scott High School, Sherman Senior High School, Tug Valley High School, Westside High School, and Wyoming East High School. Kinsey Mounts, captain of Westside High School Team 1, expressed excitement about their victory, stating, "We are really, really psyched considering we were runner up last year. This is a really big accomplishment for us, especially since three of us are seniors, so it’s a great way to end our high school career. We are very excited."

State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt praised the competition for fostering academic talents and building self-confidence among students. She said, "This competition continues to provide opportunities for students to showcase their academic talents while developing self-confidence and critical thinking skills. The Academic Showdown demonstrates that diligent study pays off."

The Academic Showdown is a collaborative effort involving the WVDE, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, and West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

For more information on the Academic Showdown or to view photos from the event, visit the WVDE website or their Flickr album.

Information from this article can be found here.