The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) and Concord University (CU) welcomed 16 teams to the Region 5 competition of the 2025 Academic Showdown in Athens today. Bluefield High School Team 1, Mercer County, placed first, and Greenbrier East High School Team 1, Greenbrier County, placed second, earning both teams a spot in the finale at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston on April 30.
The WVDE hosted teams from the following schools at CU: 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, and 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.”
“The Academic Showdown continues to prove that students in the Mountain State are well equipped for the future. The display of talent each team brings to the competition is inspiring,” said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. “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 Showdown is a partnership between the WVDE, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History and West Virginia Public Broadcasting.