Bluefield High School students posing with a first-place trophy.

James Monroe High School students posing with a second-place trophy.

Athens, W.Va. – Bluefield High School, Mercer County, placed first, and James Monroe High School Team 1, Monroe County, placed second, today at the Concord University (CU) regional competition of the 2024 Academic Showdown (Showdown). The wins secure both teams a place in the finale on April 23, 2024, at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston.

The CU regional featured the following schools:

  • Bluefield High School
  • Greenbrier East High School
  • Greenbrier West High School
  • James Monroe High School
  • Mingo Central High School
  • PikeView High School
  • Princeton Senior High School
  • Summers County High School

Approximately 90 teams registered to compete in the 2024 Showdown, making it the largest competition field since the Showdown began in 2022. Students in grades 9-12 compete in head-to-head match ups by answering questions about math, history, fine arts, pop culture and more, showcasing their academic prowess and critical thinking skills.

The Academic Showdown is a partnership between the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE), the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, West Virginia Public Broadcasting and the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History.

Stay up-to-date on regional events by visiting the WVDE website.

View the event photo album by visiting the WVDE Flickr album.

For media inquiries, contact Christy Day, West Virginia Department of Education Office of Communications, at 304-558-2699 or Christy.Day@k12.wv.us; or Jessica Tice, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, 304-545-9412 or Jessica.Tice@wvhepc.edu.

Photo captions:

  1. Bluefield High School placed first in the Concord University regional of the 2024 Academic Showdown.
  2. James Monroe High School Team 1 placed second in the Concord University regional of the 2024 Academic Showdown.

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