(DURHAM, May 14, 2003) —Hanover will match wits with Winnacunnet for the Granite State SuperChallenge championship, the culmination of the 20th anniversary season of the 32-team statewide high school competition. New Hampshire Public Television will air the Granite State SuperChallenge live from the University of New Hampshire's Johnson Theatre Wednesday, May 21 at 8 p.m. The public is welcome to join the audience and cheer on the two finalists; admission is free.Granite State Challenge (GSC) showcases New Hampshire high school academic teams squaring off over quick recall questions in all major disciplines - math, science, social studies, language arts and fine arts - with a few questions about current events, entertainment, sports, and New Hampshire people, places and events.Host Jim Jeannotte has been offering challenging questions to GSC teams since 1984. During a recent interview reminiscing about the program’s anniversary, Jeannotte observed that, “The kids haven’t changed. They’re always nervous initially. But when they win, they can’t wait to come back.”While the teams are noticeably in the hot seat, the coaches also feel the pressure, noted Jeannotte. “There are four or five coaches who have been with a school since they began playing GSC, like Hanover coach Bill Murphy, whose team is in the finals this year.“Teams that are the most successful have a chemistry and a balance of knowledge. Coaches are important because they select the team members. Besides looking for kids who are specialists in English, math, history, and general trivia, coaches look for students who will be aggressive players,” Jeannotte said.What has changed over the years, according to Jeannotte? Students have gone from suits and somewhat prim attire to jerseys, purple hair and facial piercings. What hasn’t changed? The teams are good spirited and good competitors, even as rivals.Jeannotte, a well-known and highly regarded sports broadcaster and reporter, can be heard on NHPR, and on the UNH sports network (football and basketball). And by the way, Jeannotte claims that despite hosting GSC, he’s not an expert at answering “Trivial Pursuit” questions—but he can’t be beat at asking them!If you’ve missed a show and want to see the teams take the Challenge with Jim, or you want to learn more about the players through interviews with co-host Tim Estiloz, watch GSC online at www.nhptv.org/product/gsc/gsc.htm.Major funding for Granite State Challenge is provided by the New Hampshire Lottery. Additional funding is provided by Public Service of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Community Technical Colleges, Irving Oil, and the New Hampshire Education Assistance Foundation. Beyond its award-winning local and national television programs, NHPTV provides instructional services for 220,000 students from kindergarten through high school; offers Ready To Learn programs for children, preschool to age 12; and provides professional development programs and advanced technology training for parents, educators and child-care providers in New Hampshire and neighboring states. For more information about NHPTV programs that entertain, educate and enrich, visit www.nhptv.org.Below is a list of all the teams who have competed in the Granite State SuperChallenge, and the winners of the Challenge.Year Match WINNERS 19841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003 Londonderry vs. LaconiaHollis vs. Phillips ExeterWinnisquam vs. St. Thomas AquinasMerrimack vs. Bishop GuertinWinnisquam vs. HollisAlvirne vs. PinkertonLaconia vs. WoodsvilleHanover vs. Jonh StarkPortsmouth vs. DoverWinnisquam vs. John StarkAlvirne vs. KearsargeLaconia vs. KeenePlymouth vs. WoodsvilleKeene vs. Oyster River Salem vs. DerryfieldOyster River vs. Profile Kearsarge vs. Derryfield Oyster River vs. TrinitySalem vs. WinnisquamHanover vs. Winnacunnet LondonderryPhillips ExeterSt. Thomas AquinasBishop GuertinWinnisquamAlvirneLaconiaHanoverPortsmouthWinnisquamAlvirneLaconiaPlymouthKeeneSalemOyster RiverKearsargeOyster RiverSalem??? Beyond its award-winning local and national television programs, NHPTV provides instructional services for 220,000 students from kindergarten through high school; offers Ready To Learn programs for children, preschool to age 12; and provides professional development programs and advanced technology training for parents, educators and child-care providers in New Hampshire and neighboring states. For more information about NHPTV programs that entertain, educate and enrich, visit www.nhptv.org.
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
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