"Shooting for the Stars" from Ponte Vedra High School
On February 13, 45 teams representing 18 high schools across Northeast Florida came together at the University of North Florida to compete in the 20th Annual Admiral Jonathan T. Howe Academic WorldQuest.
As the Council's flagship education event, the competition challenges participants' knowledge of international affairs, geography, history, and culture. With over 40 local competitions held nationwide, the winners of these events earn a coveted invitation to the National Academic WorldQuest competition in Washington, D.C. each spring.
As the 20th edition of the event, this year's competition blended cherished traditions with exciting new developments. A retrospective display on the history of both the Council and Academic WorldQuest was shown throughout the room, highlighting testimonials from past winners and reflections from the early days of the event. A new tradition was also introduced—the unveiling of the Admiral Jonathan T. Howe Academic WorldQuest Trophy! Thanks to a generous trophy sponsor, this trophy will now journey to the winning team's school, where it will be displayed until next year's competition.
The excitement in the room was contagious as students showcased their knowledge following weeks of rigorous preparation. While every team competed admirably, several standout teams left their mark on the competition.
"Shooting for the Stars" from Ponte Vedra High School claimed first place after two rounds of sudden death competition!
The "Best Team Name" award went to "Assad State of Affairs" from Duncan U. Fletcher High School.
Second and third place were claimed by "WPS Victory Task Force" from Creekside High School and "Cosmic Defenders" from Ponte Vedra High School respectively.
Treasurer's Cup Winners "Nerds With No Name"
The evening also featured the second annual presentation of the Paul R. Goodwin Treasurer's Cup. The award is given to the winning team inside the "Teacher's Lounge" which is a gathering of sponsors, parents, teachers, and council members who compete to match wits with the students, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event. This year's cup winner was the "Nerds with No Name," a team of four Great Decisions teachers and one parent.
This special evening was a celebration of community, global knowledge, and the boundless potential of our students. The event, however, would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, including our title sponsor, the Doolittle Family; technology sponsor, Mayo Clinic; our trophy sponsor, and our team and Food for Thought sponsors.
Congratulations to all the students and teachers for representing your respective schools in fine fashion! We eagerly anticipate following the journey of the winning team as they represent Northeast Florida at the National Academic WorldQuest Competition in Washington, D.C. this April.
