‘Quiz Central’ to start seventh season; several scholarships to be awarded

• Tweet
• 

“Quiz Central” host Kurt Wilson said it’s important for high school students to know the world around them by reading newspapers and staying up on current events.

Central Michigan University’s Public Television’s “Quiz Central” will start airing its seventh season at 7:30 p.m on Wednesday, Sept. 28. with the Flushing High School Raiders face off against the Bay City John Glenn High School Bobcats.

“We’re excited, as always, to meet the new students and see the teams compete,” said Sarah Adams, WCMU public relations coordinator and television producer.

Season seven will include 48 teams, down from the 64 teams that competed last year.

Some of the schools set to compete this year include Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, Charlevoix High School and East Jordan High School.

The show, similar to “Jeopardy,” has five different timed rounds, Wilson said.

Examples of these include rapid-fire, individual-based questions and a team-oriented, long-form question called “Tossup.” Another round is called “The Perfect 10,” which is a question and answer round incorporating the whole team.

WCMU Staff Director for television Chris Ogozaly said the topics vary throughout the game, including sports, popular culture and geography.

“This is definitely a way for some of the kids to show off their academic side,” Ogozaly said.

According to a “Quiz Central” WCMU press release, schools compete in divisions based on school size. The winning team’s four members each receive a $2,500 scholarship to CMU. The CMU bookstore awards five competing seniors textbook scholarships as well.

Wilson said a show like “Quiz Central” has many positive aspects beyond the academic opportunities the show presents.

“It allows communities to gather around their schools,” he said.

He also said it allows high school students to see what college life is about by spending the day at CMU and eating lunch on campus.

Adams said many of the students are academically ready to be in a college environment and being on the show can only help them.

“I think it will definitely prepare them for college life and be a success in academia,” she said.

She said it lets students who are academically-inclined have something to put their time and effort into.

“This is a chance for those students who excel in academics to shine,” she said.