Douglas High School academic team heads to nationals

Five members of the Douglas High School academic team will be heading to Kansas City during the last week in June for the Skills USA national quiz bowl competition.

"It's kind of like 'Jeopardy,' where you have to buzz in, and it's not only knowledge but speed," said Douglas High math teacher and academic coach Larry Lippmann.

"The competition will be stiff; however, I'm confident that our very strong team will make Douglas High School proud."

This year, the academic team, which has about 15 members total, secured the second-place spot in the Nevada Academic League. They also took seventh out of 32 teams in the regional National Science Bowl, not to mention 23rd place out of 695 schools in the Knowledge Master Open in December.

But it was five members' first-place win at the Nevada Skills USA quiz bowl in April that propelled the students towards the national stage.

"We've had a very successful year," said Lippmann. "This will be the first time we'll have traveled nationally."

The students were confident about their chances.

"I'm really unsure what it's going to be like," said 17-year-old senior Shane Wigton. "But we did well at the state competition, and I think we'll still be able to do well and continue some victories."

Team members agreed that one subject area they need to work on is current events.

"The hardest part is figuring out the team dynamic, what strengths everyone has," said senior Bonnie Slocum.

Slocum described herself as the team's "lit nerd."

"But we're also looking to have a good time," she said, "to do our best and have fun."

Other students on the team are Gene Lengdorfer, Aaron Wennhold and Jesus Palma.

"I'm very proud of them," said Lippmann.