Sarah Swenson, Jane Kelly, and MaryKate Mormino, three of Suffield High School’s Academic Quiz Team members excelled at the As Schools Match Wits (ASMW) event that aired on live television entertainment on February 22, 2025. These students worked tirelessly in preparation for the first round of ASMW which was filmed at Westfield State University on December 7, 2024.
Suffield High School’s Quiz Team went up against Greenfield, pulling an incredible score of 285 which outnumbered the opposing team by 70 points, drawing out the win which will advance them to the next level: the playoffs, where 8 teams compete against each other for the Collamore Cup.
“I would say how proud I am of them and how well they were received by the outside community and how many compliments they got on their composure and decorum. They made me really proud as they represented Suffield.” – Christina DeAngelis, Academic Quiz Team advisor
As Schools Match Wits is currently on its 64th year running. The historic show’s competitors feature high school students from private and public schools all over western New England. Suffield High School has been attending and excelling at this academic event for over 12 years under the Quiz Team’s current advisor, Christina DeAngelis.
As Schools Match Wits has been such a big event for Suffield High School over the years. Outsiders may see the event as this major quiz show where students show off their exceptional skills in order to excel in the competition. And where they’re not wrong in that assumption, there’s far more to it. Students who participate in the Academic Quiz Team form a bond with their teammates. They practice together, they grow together, they learn together. Being in an academic team can boost more than intelligence: social connections play a major role as well.
“It [favourite thing about ASMW] was the feeling of community you got from being with these people. We’re all good friends here and that’s the most important thing. When you have a good connection with other people you know how things will go in an event like this. It makes it more meaningful.” – Jane Kelly, sophomore
MaryKate Mormino, Jane Kelly, Sarah Swenson
After the Match – The History Bowl and Bee
The Academic Quiz Team is still going strong even after their first match against Greenfield. After preparing for a new event, the National History Bowl which took place at Newtown High School on March 1st, the team competed for a spot at nationals. The team was unable to secure a spot in the next level as a group. However, sophomore Quiz team member Shaunak Ukidwe competed in the individual competition, the National History Bee, and has advanced to the national competition.
As Schools Match Wits back in Spring
The Academic Quiz Team made its reappearance behind the camera on March 22, 2025 as they filmed for the next match, whose release date is currently unknown. The team had been in major preparation as they prepared to battle it out among the top 8 teams.
The Quiz Team expressed continuous excitement for the spring As Schools Match Wits match, including students that were unable to attend the first filming of the season, but who were ready to make an impact in the spring session. After filming in mid-March, the team is buzzing with excitement and determination in their academic skills and achievements.
The team doesn’t plan to quit anytime soon, remaining strong and steady as the As School Match Wits season carries on.
MaryKate Mormino, Jane Kelly, Christina DeAngelis, Sarah Swenson
