Nashua South Purple Panthers Defeat the Astros of Pinkerton Academy

GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE

Can you name the armored mammal known as a “Hoover Hog” during the Great Depression because it was used as a food source? The answer to this question - the armadillo - helped defending Granite State Challenge champions the Purple Panthers of Nashua South secure a lead over Pinkerton Academy on this week’s Granite State Challenge and go on to win by a score of 610 to 250.

The Nashua South Panthers were represented by captain Ankita Devasia, Ben Telerski, Waithira Kiritu, and George Eid, and alternates Sathvika Korandla, and Hailey Sweeney and were coached by Greg Montine. The Pinkerton Academy Astros were represented by captain Mackenzie Finocchiaro, Liam Humel, Zak Kahn, and Lizzy Garcia, and alternates Violet Villanueva, and Henry Andrews and were coached by Peter Crowell.

Nashua South now advances to the quarterfinals of Granite State Challenge. Hosted by Jim Jeannotte, the popular quiz contest began the season with Granite State Challenge Super Sunday at Manchester Community College. 46 New Hampshire high school teams took a qualifying test to secure one of only 16 spots on Granite State Challenge. At the conclusion of the season, this year’s Granite State Challenge champion will move on to compete in the first-ever High School Quiz Show Invitational at WGBH in Boston against the winners of Maine Public’s High School Quiz Show: Maine . The winner of that game will face the winner of the semifinal game between Massachusetts and Rhode Island in a battle to decide the High School Quiz Show Invitational champion.

New Hampshire's top high school academic teams demonstrate remarkable teamwork, quick thinking and smarts as they play Granite State Challenge. The game emphasizes quick recall of math, science, social studies, language arts, and fine arts facts—along with questions about current events, entertainment, sports, and New Hampshire.

Watch Granite State Challenge Saturdays at 6 PM on New Hampshire PBS, with multiple airdates on NHPBS and NHPBS EXPLORE. You can view the latest games, try your hand at online GSC Quizzes and track the progress of your favorite team at nhpbs.org/gsc.

Granite State Challenge is generously funded by lead sponsor Unitil; additional funding is provided by NEA-New Hampshire, Heinemann Publishing, New Hampshire Lottery, D.F. Richard Energy, HRCU Measured Progress, the NHHEAF Network Organizations, and Super Sunday Sponsor Manchester Community College.