11th and 12th graders win 2008 Knowledge Bowl

The 16th Annual Knowledge Bowl competition begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, February 5 at San Juan Community Theatre. Arrive early to hear Friday Harbor Jazz Band (and some special guests) perform at 6:40 p.m. Bake sale items will be available courtesy of the Friday Harbor High School PTA.

The teams consist of an 8th grade team, a 9th & 10th grade team, and an 11th & 12th grade team, each going head to head with four local community service groups: Kiwanis, Soroptomists, Lions, and Rotary Club. Teams will match wits to answer tricky trivia questions on a range of topics, from physics to local history.

This year's event will be emceed by Friday Harbor High School's own Marc Vermeire. New this year is a costume contest between the teams – fabulous prizes will be awarded to the most festively attired team!

The Knowledge Bowl is presented each year by the San Juan Public Schools Foundation. Through its two main fundraisers, the Phone-a-Thon and the Business Partnership Program, the Foundation raises money to support local public education. Last year the Foundation added the SOS campaign, which raised an astounding $537,648 during the school budget crisis to preserve our schools' staffing, sports, and class sizes for 2008/2009.

11th and 12th graders win Knowledge Bowl
page one

1 2

Photos by Sharon Kivisto

Kate Fyrqvist, Cara Dunn, Cody Price and Otto Schmidt
were the winning brains at the 2008 Knowledge Bowl.

posted 02/08/2008
The Friday Harbor High School team of 11th and 12th graders won the 2008 Knowledge Bowl. The annual fundraiser for the San Juan Public School Foundations included eight teams. The Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions and Soroptimist service participated along with a freshmen-sophomore team and a team of 8th-graders. Former High School Principal Ralph Hahn was the master of ceremonies.

The San Juan Public Schools Foundation includes parents, educators, and business leaders who work to raise funds outside the school budget to support and encourage improvement of the public schools' instructional programs and the achievement of academic excellence by all students.

Elementary School Teacher Debbie Taylor spoke about the impact the new history and reading textbooks had on the students. The public schools foundation provided the funding for the updated curriculum.

The High School Jazz Band directed by Janet Olsen performed before the competition and during intermission.