ATHENS, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Sixteen teams gathered in Athens today for the Region 5 competition of the 2025 Academic Showdown, hosted by the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) and Concord University (CU).
Bluefield High School Team 1, from Mercer County, took first place, while Greenbrier East High School Team 1, from Greenbrier County, claimed second, earning both teams a spot in the finale at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston on April 30.
The event saw participation from teams representing the following schools:
- Bluefield High School
- Greenbrier East High School
- James Monroe High School
- Oak Hill High School
- PikeView High School
- Princeton High School
- Shady Spring High School
- Summers County High School
- Woodrow Wilson High School
“It’s amazing to win a knowledge competition. It’s a heartwarming feeling to work with teammates,” said Bluefield High School Team 1 Captain Quinn Brown. “It’s a really fun activity because you never really know what to expect.”
State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt expressed her pride in the students’ efforts.
“The Academic Showdown continues to prove that students in the Mountain State are well equipped for the future,” Blatt said.
“The display of talent each team brings to the competition is inspiring. Congratulations to Bluefield and Greenbrier East High Schools for advancing to the finale. I am proud of the hard work each student put into preparing for today.”
The Academic Showdown is a collaborative effort between the WVDE, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, and West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Launched in 2022, the West Virginia Academic Showdown is an academic head-to-head competition that brings West Virginia high school students from across the state together for regional matchups.
