— 53 TEAMS WILL VIE FOR 16 SLOTS IN GSC 30th SEASON —
(DURHAM, November 12, 2012) — Fifty-three New Hampshire high school academic teams from around the state will be at Plymouth State University November 17th for “Super Sunday,” vying for one of 16 team spots in the 30th season of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE. The Super Sunday qualifying contest will feature school teams of up to six players from grades 9 – 12 taking a written quiz together. The teams with the highest scores will qualify to play in the 30th season of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE, which premieres in February on New Hampshire Public Television. Through spirited competition, GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE is an entertaining and educational series that generates school pride and has an enthusiastic on-air and online audience. Questions on the show align with state curriculum standards. Schools competing on Super Sunday for one of 16 slots in the GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE season include: Academy for Science and DesignAlvirne High SchoolBedford High SchoolBelmont High SchoolBishop Brady High SchoolBishop Guertin High SchoolBow High SchoolCoe-Brown Northwood AcademyColebrook AcademyConcord High SchoolContoocook Valley Regional High School (Conval)Dover High SchoolExeter High SchoolFall Mountain Regional High SchoolFarmington High SchoolGoffstown High SchoolGorham Middle High SchoolHanover High SchoolHollis Brookline High SchoolInter-Lakes High SchoolJohn Stark Regional High SchoolKeene High SchoolKennett High SchoolKingswood Regional HighLin-Wood High SchoolLisbon Regional SchoolLondonderry High SchoolManchester Central High School Merrimack High SchoolMerrimack Valley High SchoolMilford High SchoolMonadnock Regional High SchoolNashua High School NorthNew Hampton SchoolNewfound Regional High SchoolNute High SchoolOyster River High SchoolPelham High SchoolPinkerton AcademyPlymouth Regional High SchoolPortsmouth Christian Academy at DoverProfile SchoolProspect Mountain High SchoolRaymond High SchoolSalem High SchoolSanborn Regional HighSouhegan High SchoolSpaulding High SchoolStevens High SchoolWhite Mountains Regional High SchoolWindham High SchoolWinnacunnet High SchoolWinnisquam Regional High School Look for exciting new angles to the games this season, including an interactive, online quiz version of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE where individuals can take the Challenge and play against each other in real time. Also, for a second year, there will be a Granite State vs. Bay State match between the winners of the GRANITE STATE SUPERCHALLENGE and the WGBH Boston High School Quiz Show. It takes a winning combination of knowledge, teamwork, grace under pressure, and a quick buzzer reflex to play GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE. The program brings New Hampshire’s top high school academic teams head-to-head in lively competition. The game emphasizes quick recall of factual material in all major disciplines – math, science, social studies, language arts and fine arts – along with a mix of questions about current events, entertainment, sports, and regional topics. Host Jim Jeannotte asks the Challenge questions to the teams; co-host Lori Warriner goes behind-the-scenes to interview team members. The winning team receives $1,000 and a trophy, and the runner-up school receives $500. GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE is generously funded by lead sponsor Unitil, a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers in New England; additional funding is provided by DF Richard, Markem-Imaje, Heinemann, Pax World Mutual Funds, NH NEA, and Measured Progress.“Unitil is thrilled to sponsor the 30th anniversary season of Granite State Challenge and support New Hampshire’s best and brightest young students,” said Carol Valianti, Unitil’s vice president of communications and public affairs. “We’re in awe of the talent and brainpower demonstrated by these young scholars and we wish all the teams lots of luck as they compete on Sunday.”The 30th season of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE will premiere in February, with multiple airdates on NHPTV PRIME and NHPTV EXPLORE. All games can be watched online at http://video.nhptv.org, on YouTube or iTunes. Online GSC quizzes help keep students and audiences involved in the game. www.nhptv.org/gsc
About New Hampshire PBS: New Hampshire PBS inspires one million Granite Staters each month with engaging and trusted local and national programs and services on-air, online, via mobile, in classrooms and in communities. Beyond its award-winning television programs, New Hampshire PBS is a leader in education and community engagement. www.nhpbs.org
Visit the NHPBS PRESSROOM at www.nhpbs.org/pressroom
Phone (603) 868-1100 • Fax (603) 868-7552
NHPBS • NHPBS EXPLORE • NH WORLD • NH CREATE • NHPBS KIDS
###