Local News
Related Photos
-
Westport Quiz Bowl members practice their trigger techniques: (standing from left) Alan Ware, Bo McKinley, Kelsey Carroll, and Emile Goss and (sitting) Devin Martin and Kenneth Russell. Absent team members: Nathan Gay and Michael Bodner. Staff Photo/Alvin Reiner
Discussion
Welcome to our new online comments feature. In a change from our previous article comments system, before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.
Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.
We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.
Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:
There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.
Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.
Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.
Don’t make political statements that more correctly belong in a signed Letter to the Editor.
Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)
Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”
Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.
Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.
Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.
In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.
Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.
We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
Westport Quiz Bowlers going to nationals
'It's the most enjoyable and intellectual extra-curricular activity'
WESTPORT — With brains in gear, it's full speed ahead as Westport Central School's Quiz Bowl team heads to New Orleans for the national competition.
Throughout the winter, the Westport team went to tournaments in Queensbury to compete against about 30 other schools.
Being the northernmost team (Crown Point and Ticonderoga also participated), Westport went up against schools with more than 10 times its student body.
While knowledge is paramount, it also takes quick reflexes to activate the trigger of the signaling device — and students need a self-confident mentality to want to push it.
"It's the most enjoyable and intellectual extra-curricular activity I've been in," said Devin Martin, who is in his fourth Quiz Bowl year.
"It builds chemistry among us. We struggle with some subjects, but I have been able to pick up a lot of math and literature."
Kelsey Carroll, who has also been on the team for four years, said, "It's nice to meet with a group and to do something that's academically challenging."
"Being on the Quiz Bowl team has definitely helped with friendships," fellow teammate Alan Ware said. "I've become a smarter person, especially with my knowledge base on vocabulary, as well as random facts."
To Kevin Russell, being on the Quiz Bowl team is great fun.
"I've even learned different flavors of ice cream," he said. "There are things I never thought I would need to learn, and many of them have proven useful."
"It can be challenging," Emile Goss said. "I like spending time with the rest of the team."
For Bo McKinley, being on this team is a different high-school experience.
"It's a great escape from all of the sports I've played. I particularly like the relaxed, competitive environment."
Team co-adviser Dan McCormick said they are closing in on their goal of raising $6,000 for the national event, to be held over Memorial Day weekend.
"Quiz Bowl is a change of pace for these students. It's engaging and stimulating, as well as very competitive," McCormick said.
"Dan's the clown, and I'm the serious one," mused co-adviser Cheryl Phillips. "I enjoy the practices and watching the kids gain confidence through the weeks of competitions. Even the practices can be competitive. The students surprise themselves with their recall."
Westport Superintendent Dr. John Gallagher is proud of the accomplishments of the Quiz Bowl team.
"Whether it's the Quiz Bowl, music, athletics or other activities, they all get so deeply involved in what they are doing," he said. "It's amazing how well they do against much larger schools."
E-mail Alvin Reiner at:
rondackrambler@yahoo.com
- Local News
-
-
Area's state legislators recognized for taxpayer support
Sen. Betty Little ranked first in the Senate, while Assemblywomen Janet Duprey and Teresa Sayward ranked 23rd and 25th, respectively, when Unshackle Upstate released its 2010 Legislative Scorecards.
-
Essex County layoffs debated
The Essex County Board of Supervisors isn't sure it wants to include layoffs in its early retirement incentive plan.
-
City school mulls new tax
A utility tax would force everyone to help cover the costs of public education, while reducing the amount property owners pay in terms of property taxes.
-
Capital project continues for City School
School officials say it has been a long summer with some setbacks, but work is moving forward and the outcome will benefit students.
-
Tribes celebrate cigarette-tax stay
St. Regis Mohawk will be included in the temporary stay on tribal cigarette sales-tax collection.
-
Ti lakeshore zoning gets rewrite
Water quality and quality of life are being touted as components of revised Ticonderoga waterfront zoning.
-
Construction begins on new sidewalk along School Street in Peru
Workers have begun installing a sidewalk along School Street in the hamlet of Peru that will allow safer access to school property for students walking to and from school during the busy morning and afternoon commutes.
-
Champlain Telephone Employee Stock Ownership Plan approved
President and CEO Trent Trahan will sell his majority shares to the company's non-union workers. They will get stock based on their years of employment and will be reimbursed for them when they retire.
-
Women in wartime: heros, helpmates, history makers
The annual commemoration of the Battle of Plattsburgh begins this week, culminating in a remarkable mix of events over next weekend, writes columnist Richard Frost.
-
P-R wins 5 Associated Press awards
Press-Republican staff takes home five awards in the 2009-10 New York State Associated Press contest.
-
Ellenburg man opens dive shop in brother's memory
As he copes with the loss of his younger brother, Archie Jones hopes to teach others about scuba diving, something Melvin Jones became passionate about before his death.
-
Women offered chance to boost self image
Program gives participants an opportunity to look and feel their best.
-
A day in paradise
Chris Fasolino opens a window on the peaceful, stunningly beautiful village of Amalfi in Italy.
-
Bed Race deadline extended
People have more time to sign up teams for Sept. 11 Rotary Red Race.
-
Of Interest: Sept. 5, 2010
PSU accepting spring '11 applications; Lake Placid School Board meeting set; Westport School Board agenda planned
-
Business Briefs: Sept. 5, 2010
Labor Day donation; Deadline extended; Health forum; School program; Grant received.
-
Farm Briefs: Sept. 5, 2010
Hay and pasture insurance expands; High-tunnel crops experience success; Online courses for beginning farmers debut; Local dairy recognized as eco-friendly farm.
- September 4, 2010
-
City school mulls new tax
A utility tax would force everyone to help cover the costs of public education, while reducing the amount property owners pay in terms of property taxes.
-
Ti lakeshore zoning gets rewrite
Water quality and quality of life are being touted as components of revised Ticonderoga waterfront zoning.
-
West Chazy meat market burns
D&D Meats and its upstairs apartments are now a total loss, but the owners' house next door was saved.
-
Area's state legislators recognized for taxpayer support
