NEWS FROM WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 9, 2009
Contact: Karen Radzykewycz (406) 247-7388, Radzykew@wapa.gov
Helena High School Wins Big Sky Regional
in DOE’s National Science Bowl®
Winners Will Compete in National Finals in Washington, D.C.
Billings, Montana – Feb. 9, 2009 – Less than a minute remained on the game clock for the Big Sky Regional Science Bowl and the score was close for the two finalists: Billings Skyview 32, Helena High 34. The crowd was tense, the coaches and teams, more so.
Helena High had the lead when it buzzed in to answer the last question. Officials ruled the team had buzzed in on time. But wait—the player who buzzed in was not properly recognized before the answer was given! A penalty was called against Helena, and four points were awarded to Billings Skyview, which won the match.
A rematch in the final round seemed ordained. The winner would take all—honors, a trophy, prize money and an all-expense paid trip. While it was a less eventful match, Helena High took the lead. But nobody dared count Billings Skyview out. But when the game clock signaled the end of the last match, Helena High School of Helena, Mont., kept its lead and emerged as the winning team.
Helena High’s victory in the Big Sky regional championship in the Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl® competition was held Feb. 7, in Billings. The winning team, including Ian Beagles, Levi Dutton, Quinn O’Dowd, Chris Nicolay and Kathleen Bush, advances to Washington, D.C., to compete against other regional winners in the National Finals, April 30 to May 5, 2009. Helena High’s team coaches are Jerry McCarthy, Jim Scholz and Claire Pichette. Billings Skyview High School of Billings finished second and another team from Helena High School of Helena finished third. (To see photos of the winning teams, visit Western’s Web site.
“It wasn’t your rough and tumble physical sports competition—no foam bricks thrown, no instant replay, no big half-time show,” said volunteer Cheryl Jones. “But it was a great event nonetheless for our future scientists in training.”
Twenty two teams of high school science and math students from Montana competed. Many of these teams spent months preparing for the regional competition, which features head-to-head competition in a fast-paced question and answer format similar to Jeopardy. The students were quizzed on all science disciplines including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics and astronomy, as well as math.
This year’s competition featured additional winners. Absarokee High School Team A earned a $100 check and the first Civility Award for its conduct, sportsmanship and dedication to excellence. The team included Johnathon Baldwin, Michael Holtz, Levi Holtz and Dillon McClure.
This is the 17th year for the Big Sky Regional, sponsored by the Western Area Power Administration and numerous business partners in the state, including PPL, St. Mary Land & Exploration, Society of Petroleum Engineers, IEEE, IBEW Local 532, HDR Engineering, HKM Engineering, Electrical Consultants, Inc., Upper Missouri G&T Electric Cooperative, Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative, Stillwater Mining Co., Vans Evergreen IGA, Billings Federal Credit Union, Office Max, Creative Monograms, Great Frame Up, Borders Books, Tetra Tech, Eco Auto and Western Awards. The officials of this event were all volunteers from the community, including professors from the Science Departments of MSU-Billings and Rocky Mountain College, who served as judges for the event.
This year more than 12,000 high school students from 1,800 schools in 42 states will compete in the DOE National Science Bowl’s regional competitions for high school students. Since 1991, more than 130,000 students and teachers have participated. More information can be found at DOE’s National Science Bowl,® Web site.
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Western Area Power Administration annually markets and transmits more than 10,000 megawatts of power from hydroelectric powerplants owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 15 western and central states. It is part of the Department of Energy.
Serving the West with Federal hydropower
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