These Wildcats Have Hi-Q!
T
he 2025 Hi-Q season at St. Luke’s Episcopal School started excitingly, with the school’s Hi-Q team competing against two schools: Vigor High School and Cottage Hill Christian Academy. The match, held on January 16, was a display of knowledge, quick thinking, and teamwork, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense season of academic competition.
What is Hi-Q?
The Hi-Q program assembles some of the best and brightest young minds from area schools to compete against each other in a "quiz bowl" type format. Kids compete on questions involving history, science, literature, geography, and current events. It is a rapid-fire competition, with each correct response earning the team points to make for a game testing knowledge and thinking under pressure.
Who are the Wildcats on Hi-Q?
Senior Megan McDonough, Senior William McDonough, Junior Chloe Lambert, and Junior Rishi Gupta made up St. Luke's for round one. From the beginning, this team buzzed in first with answers that not only showed an incredibly deep collection of knowledge but also reflected great strategy in their gaming style. From start to finish, St. Luke's was on top of their game, showing major teamwork and playing to each member's strengths.
As the competition entered the second round, the lineup changed. We introduced Senior Gavin Leege, Senior Zane West, Junior Mac Boone, and Junior Calista Conway to the stage. The last set of questions added a twist to the competition because they were toss-up questions that were not handed to a specific team. Each team had to rely on both their academic knowledge and their ability to stay calm under pressure.
The Season Looks Promising
St. Luke’s rallied up a lot of points in round two; however, Cottage Hill ultimately pulled ahead with a lead of 7 points. In the end, St. Luke’s ended in second place with 28 points, while Cottage Hill had 35 and Vigor had 7.
Although St. Luke’s didn’t come away with the win in this opening match, the team’s performance was a testament to their hard work and dedication. Mrs. Haynes, the Hi-Q team sponsor, expressed pride in the team’s effort, noting how the new members had stepped up in essential moments. With the first match of the season behind them, St. Luke’s Hi-Q team is already looking ahead and preparing for their next competition. The experience against Vigor and Cottage Hill provided valuable lessons, and the team’s determination to improve and continue learning is stronger than ever.
As the season rolls on, there is no doubt that St. Luke's will continue to be one of the major contenders in the Hi-Q circuit! The St. Luke's Hi-Q team will proceed further with continuing to represent their school with pride and determination, facing new challenges and opponents during the remaining weeks. Most of all, this is just the start of the season, and better things are in store.
