Dreyfoos emerged victorious in the Commissioner’s Academic Challenge on Jan. 28. The Commissioner’s Academic Challenge is a prestigious trivia competition in which student teams from all over the district are asked questions about every topic ranging from language arts to economics. The Dreyfoos team took home first place against teams from Suncoast High School, Seminole Ridge High School, Wellington High School, John I. Leonard High School, and Spanish River High School.

“It’s nice to see your students outside of the classroom in a competitive setting showing teamwork and their amazing academic skills,” social studies teacher and Academic Games sponsor Sara Stout said.“The Academic Games aren’t easy, but they rose up to the challenge and proved that they truly are some of the best and brightest students in Palm Beach County.”

The team representing Dreyfoos consisted of band seniors Charles Comiter Ethan Weatherdon, and Philipp Popp, communications junior Michael Wang, piano senior Laura Bomeny, and piano junior Stefan Wan. The team put forth a lot of time, effort, and energy into performing well in the games, squeezing in practice sessions despite prior commitments and hectic schedules.

“The kids are always busy,” said Stout. “There was little time to prepare for the competition because we had to organize review sessions around orchestras, recitals, concerts, or club meetings. It was really difficult to get all the team members in the same room.”

Furthermore, strings senior Charles Comiter answered the most correct questions, and will therefore represent Dreyfoos in the upcoming Commissioner’s Academic Challenge. He will compete against some of the brightest students in all of Florida, and the competition will be aired on national television in April.

“The whole experience is just surreal,” said Comiter. “I never anticipated that I’d make it this far in the games, and I’m determined to do my absolute best at state.”
In previous years, Dreyfoos has always placed first or second in the district wide Academic Games, and Ms. Stout is certain that they will encounter even more success in the future.

“Dreyfoos is full of kids who excel both academically and artistically,” said Ms. Stout. “With a little hard work and dedication, I think we could win many more competitions in years to come.”