Academic WorldQuest 2026 Brings Global Competition to Northeast Florida
On February 12, the energy was electric at the University of North Florida as 47 teams representing 19 high schools from across Northeast Florida gathered for the 21st Annual Admiral Jonathan T. Howe Academic WorldQuest.
As the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville's flagship education program, Academic WorldQuest challenges high school students to think critically about the world around them — from geopolitics to global culture. This year's competition pushed students to demonstrate their knowledge across a wide-ranging and timely set of topics, including pop culture and soft power in international relations, migration and immigration, the U.S. Constitution and foreign policy, tariffs and trade, coffee and chocolate from a global perspective, and nuclear policy issues.
Following weeks of rigorous preparation, students brought their A-game, demonstrating not only impressive subject mastery but also teamwork, strategy, and global awareness. The excitement in the room was palpable as teams worked through each challenging round.
While every team competed admirably, several rose to the top. First place honors went to "Mt. Markus" from River City Science Academy, marking the school's first victory in the competition's 21-year history — an exciting milestone for the program.
The crowd-favorite Best Team Name award went to "Tariff Swift: The Errors Tour," also representing River City Science Academy.
Second place was claimed by "Stalin for Mao Time" from Fleming Island High School, while "All in Madur-ation" from Duncan U. Fletcher High School secured third place.
The evening also featured the third annual presentation of the Paul R. Goodwin Treasurer's Cup, held in the ever-competitive Teacher's Lounge. Here, sponsors, teachers, and Council members put their own global knowledge to the test in a lively parallel competition, adding an extra layer of camaraderie and fun to the night. This year's Treasurer's Cup ended in an exciting tie between the teams "Diplomats" and "Big K and the Little Kids," both comprised of teachers and sponsors.
More than just a competition, Academic WorldQuest is a celebration of curiosity, critical thinking, and the next generation of globally minded leaders. The evening showcased the remarkable talent of Northeast Florida students and the power of community partnerships in expanding global education.
This impactful program would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, including title sponsor the Doolittle Family; technology sponsor Mayo Clinic; trophy sponsor CeCe Lichtenstein; and our dedicated Team and Food for Thought sponsors.
Congratulations to all participating students and teachers for representing their schools with excellence. We look forward to cheering on River City Science Academy as they represent Northeast Florida at the National Academic WorldQuest Competition in Washington, D.C. this April.
Our educational programs for the year have not concluded yet! On April 10, 40 Great Decisions Students will face off in the Geo Guessr Global Challenge! This new offering is taking place at the new state-of-the-art UNF Flight Deck E-Sports facility.
The GeoGuessr Global Challenge is a browser-based geography game in which players must deduce locations from Google Street View imagery. Players learn and identify various global geographical and cultural characteristics. These include writing systems, architecture, left- and right-hand traffic, flags, vehicle registration plates, landscapes, and flora. This educational aspect enhances players' understanding of different cultures and regions around the world. GeoGuessr brings the world to students' fingertips — aligning with the Council's mission to create globally minded citizens. This experience amplifies the impact of the Great Decisions program, turning learning into action through competition, camaraderie, and critical reflection.
To learn more about how to support this debut program, email Director of Operations and Outreach Rachel Paul rachel@worldaffairscounciljax.org .
