Weston Faces Shrewsbury in High School Quiz Show

And the winner of the vs. Shrewsbury High School Quiz Show is… confidential information until April. But it’s safe to say that both teams made their schools and towns proud.

The teams faced off Sunday afternoon at the WGBH-TV studios in Brighton, the last of a weekend of eight tapings between the 16 qualifying Massachusetts high school teams of the single-elimination game show.

Representing Weston were junior Will Gertler; seniors Grace Huckins, James Dana and Matthew Chernick; and alternates Natasha Joglekar, a freshman, and sophomore Pravina Samaratunga.

It was the second High School Quiz Show appearance for Chernick, and for Huckins, who said she “greatly enjoyed” the experience last year and jumped at the chance to participate once more.

“I had a lot of fun last year and wanted to do it again,” Huckins said.

The students were accompanied by their coaches, WHS video arts teacher Ted Garland and math teacher Alison Langsdorf, who described the process of getting the team ready to compete as a lot of real work for everyone.

The questions the students will get during the show “could be literally about anything you could learn in high school,” Langsdorf said. “There’s a huge variety.”

And a variety it was. During the taping, question topics ranged from those about magnesium, Pablo Neruda and Dr. Who — answered with aplomb by students from both teams, who Langsdorf said “know so many things.”

Both teams had their share of supporters in the audience, ranging from family members to those who just wanted to cheer on their hometown teams. One such supporter, 10-year-old Jeb Bartholomew, held “Go Weston” signs with his siblings and said the taping was exciting and “really funny,” especially when the show’s host, Kiss 108 radio personality Billy Costa, told Jeb to turn his upside-down sign around for the cameras.

Also on hand to lend her support was Weston Superintendent Cheryl Maloney, who also attended last year’s High School Quiz Show tapings and said she was proud of the students’ achievements, win or lose.

“These kids are amazing. They’re busy and engaged in many activities and just the fact that they’re so committed (to High School Quiz Show) speaks to the kind of individuals they are,” she said. “I love being part of the audience.”

Echoing Maloney’s pride was Weston High School Principal Anthony Parker, who attended the taping with his wife and said the event was a credit to the school.

“They’ve worked so hard and it’s a testament to their commitment that they’re taking the time to pursue intellectual (activities),” said Parker, adding that he himself was able to answer “about 60 percent” of the questions posed to the contestants.

The winners of the weekend’s rounds move on to quarter and semifinal rounds, culminating in a final round that will select a state champion. The format differs from previous years’, where the winning team would go against the winner of a western Massachusetts counterpart, “As Schools Match Wits,” but this year schools in the western part of the state were eligible to compete in the WGBH program, said Langsdorf. 

The results the weekend’s tapings are embargoed until each episode is broadcast on WGBH. The Weston vs. Shrewsbury episode will air on April 1.