Salem High School to Compete in Granite State Challenge

Do you know who the first president of New Hampshire was? Or what a peruke is?** Fifty-two teams from high schools across New Hampshire had to answer those and 92 other questions at the GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE Super Sunday qualifying event Nov. 17, at Plymouth State University. They were competing for the 16 berths in the 30th season of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE, which premieres Feb. 8. The 16 teams competing are:

• Academy for Science and Design, Nashua
• Bedford High School, Bedford
• Bishop Guertin High School, Nashua
• Bow High School, Bow
• Concord High School, Concord
• Dover High School, Dover
• Fall Mountain Regional High School, Langdon
• Hanover High School, Hanover
• Keene High School, Keene
• Kennett High School, North Conway
• Merrimack High School, Merrimack
• Newfound Regional High School, Bristol
• Pinkerton Academy, Derry
• Plymouth Regional High School, Plymouth
• Portsmouth Christian Academy, Dover
• Salem High School, Salem

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 poses the Challenge questions to the teams; co-host Lori Warriner goes behind-the-scenes to interview them. 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.

“Congratulations to all the talented teams that have advanced to compete on Granite State Challenge this season,” said Carol Valianti, VP communications and public affairs. “Unitil is proud to help NHPTV shine the spotlight on New Hampshire’s most gifted students and we look forward to rooting them on all season long!”

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 video.nhptv.org, on YouTube or iTunes. Online GSC quizzes help keep students and audiences involved in the game. nhptv.org/gsc

** Answers: Meshech Weare; a powdered wig.