Norwayne Middle School team wins regional Battle of the Books
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on March 24, 2013 1:50 AM
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The Norwayne Middle School "Battle of the Books" team, which recently won the local competition, has won the regional event and moves on to the state contest in Greensboro on May 9. Front row, from left, Anna Prezbindowski, Emarald Doctor, Grace Schulte, Miriam Caughron, Helen Tran, Michelle Tung, Megan Huston and Kamil Ewais. Back row, Mya Swinson, MacKenzie Driver, manager Michele Williams, Bailey Stamper, coach Rhonda Nichols and coach Sandy Brannan.
After nine previous attempts, Norwayne Middle School's Battle of the Books team emerged victorious from the recent regional contest.
The Region 2 event, held March 15 at Northside High School in Jacksonville pitted students from 10 counties against one another.
The 11-member Norwayne team had recently accomplished its fifth win in the district, against 10 middle schools, during the 27th annual event. They now advance to the state championship, which will be held May 9 in Greensboro.
"We are ecstatic!" said Rhonda Nichols, media coordinator at Norwayne and a coach for the team. "It's the first time Norwayne has ever won regional, and I know it took me eight trips to regional to finally get into state playoffs."
This is actually the second team from the district to advance to the state level, said Ken Derksen, director of communication services and public information officer for the district schools.
"Greenwood Middle won the regional competition in 2001 and 2002," he said. "The Greenwood team also won North Carolina's first annual Battle of the Books competition, the first annual level BOB competition in April 2002."
For the uninitiated, Battle of the Books requires extensive preparation to prepare for the actual event.
"Battle of the Books is a daily experience, not just a school club for these 11 Norwayne Middle School students," said Ms.Nichols.
Student are given a reading list of 27 books and must read and recall details for a quiz bowl-type competition during which team members are asked questions.
Members of this year's winning Norwayne team include Anna Prezbindowski, Emarald Doctor, Grace Schulte, Miriam Caughron, Helen Tran, Michelle Tung, Megan Huston, Kamil Ewais, Mya Swinson, MacKenzie Driver, manager Michele Williams, Bailey Stamper, coach Rhonda Nichols and coach Sandy Brannan.