-Students from Richard Montgomery, Chantilly, and Bowie meet today on "It's Academic".

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Hello, everybody.

I'm Hillary Howard.

Welcome to "It's Academic", the world's longest running TV quiz show, produced by Altman Productions in association with David M. Rubenstein Productions.

-Support for "It's Academic" has been provided by the following.

MITRE, a not for profit research and development company working in the public interest.

-What happens when the right people connect?

Diversity challenges convention, mentors inspire greatness, and passions drive innovation.

From health to transportation and national security, cyber and AI, to space and back, MITRE connects the power of government, academia, and industry to meet our nation's challenges.

Together, MITRE connects.

-Hey, glad you're with us, as we jump into this Fast Start round, where questions are worth 10 points up or down.

The first team to buzz in gets to answer.

And of course, the students don't see what you do on the screens at home.

Let's begin.

"X" marks the spot.

If you're ready, all of your answers must end in the letter X. Chantilly.

-The White Sox.

-Correct.

-Wax.

-Chantilly.

Yes.

Wax.

Richard Montgomery.

-Phalanx.

-Correct.

Pavlov studied this conditioned response in -- Richard Montgomery.

Answer.

3, 2, 1.

Reflex.

This mythical bird rises from its own -- Chantilly.

-Phoenix.

-Phoenix is right.

Watson and Crick discovered this double stranded -- Montgomery.

-Helix.

-Yeah.

In Greek myth, dead souls were ferried across this -- Bowie.

Answer.

-Styx.

-Yes.

Very good.

This ancient Egyptian statue crouches by -- Montgomery.

-Sphinx.

-Sphinx is right.

This small vestigial organ attached to your intestines sometimes -- Yes, Montgomery?

-Appendix.

-Appendix is right.

Sitting Bull was a leader of this Native -- Montgomery.

-The Sioux.

-The Sioux is correct.

And that is the Fast Start for everybody.

Let's recap the scores.

Richard Montgomery -- 140.

Chantilly -- 130.

Bowie -- 110.

[ Applause ] And now we get to do the Mix & Match round, but before we do, we like to meet these students.

So let's do it.

We begin with Richard Montgomery from Montgomery County, and we begin with Michelle.

Hi, Michelle.

-Hello.

-So tell us a little about yourself.

-So I'm a senior at Richard Montgomery High School, and my favorite musical is "Pirates of Penzance".

-Ooh, "Pirates of Penzance".

Do you have other favorite musicals?

Are you a musical lover?

-Somewhat.

Yeah.

I also like "The Pearl Fishers", you know?

-Wonderful.

Well, it's good to have you here.

Hello, Josh.

What should we know about you?

-I'm a senior at Richard Montgomery, and my favorite musical is "Mean Girls".

-"Mean Girls".

Are you guys all doing musicals today?

-Yeah.

-Alright.

And, Rachel, what's yours?

-Mine is "L'Orfeo".

-Is there anything else we should know about you guys, besides the fact that you're musical lovers, and "It's Academic" lovers?

-No.

That's all.

-No?

No, nothing.

That's it?

Okay.

Point noted.

Here we go.

First question.

Looking at Estate.

Forget estates, see if you can find the last name of what major philanthropist, a co-founder of Microsoft?

-Gates?

-Yeah.

Gates.

Gates, it is.

A fireman, a coward, a hero.

You could most appropriately expect which of these persons to act in a cringing manner?

-A coward, right?

Coward.

-Yeah.

It's coward.

You can complete Carl Sandburg's definition of poetry by filling in the blank with what amphibian that is jumping in the title of a short story by Mark Twain?

-Frog?

-Yeah.

Frog.

-Frog it is.

Corsica.

Corfu.

Crete.

Which of these three islands was the birthplace of Napoleon?

-Corsica?

-Yes.

Lyndon Johnson made this statement in 1964, when the country was already engaged In what Asian war?

-The Vietnam War.

-Yeah.

Very nicely done, Richard Montgomery.

240 points.

Now to Chantilly from Fairfax County.

Hello, Griffin.

Good to see you.

-And you as well.

-Thank you so much.

What should we know about you?

-I am in my school's leadership program.

I've been elected to my school's class board for all four years of my high school career.

I am a senior, and I am excited to be with you all once again.

-Well, it's great to see you too.

And that's your bookend brother, right, over there?

Xavier.

-Over the other side.

Yeah.

-We'll get to you in just a minute, Xavier, but first, Haley, tell us about yourself.

-Hi, I'm Haley, and I am a senior at Chantilly High School, and I like playing the piano, and also I like taking photos.

-And I remember this from last year, but tell us all what photos you like to take.

-I don't know if I actually mentioned it last year, but I do like doing travel photography a lot.

Like, whenever we go on vacation, I love bringing my camera and just taking pictures of all the scenes around me.

I really love exploring, like, new cultures and stuff like that.

-Yeah.

That's beautiful.

Me too.

We have that in common.

Hello, Xavier.

Now please tell us about yourself.

-I am a sophomore at Chantilly High School.

I run cross country and track.

I also play baseball, and I participate in multiple clubs at my high school, such as DECA.

I get to be in the District Leadership Conference for DECA, and I also attend chess club meetings.

-And you have time for schoolwork?

-Yes.

-Okay.

Well that's good.

You guys are busy.

Alright, here's your first question.

"Confront A Riot".

If you confront this phrase, you can find hidden within it the name of which great lake that shares its name with the Canadian province?

-Ontario.

Yeah.

Extant.

Excise.

Explicable.

Which of these words best describes something that still exists?

-Explicable?

-Explicable.

-Extant.

You can complete this comment from Ralph Waldo Emerson by naming what African animal that is sometimes described as laughing?

-Hyena?

-Yep.

That's it.

Finland.

Norway.

Sweden.

Which of these Nordic countries has the largest land border with Russia?

-Finland.

-Yes.

This was the opinion of what 20th century Chinese communist leader whose domestic policy led millions to death from famine?

-Mao Zedong?

-Very good.

You've got it right.

Nicely done, Chantilly.

210 points.

[ Applause ] Hello, Bowie High School.

-Hi.

Hello.

-Hi.

It's really good to see you guys.

Obviously, from Bowie, Maryland, in Prince George's County.

Caitlyn, tell us about yourself.

-My name is Caitlyn Lopez.

I am 16 years old.

I'm a junior over at Bowie.

I'm on our debate team, and I'm a member of our staff team for our NJROTC program.

-Oh, that must be fascinating.

Do you enjoy it?

-Yes.

-And do you plan on doing something like that in college as well?

-Yes.

I plan on going to the Air Force Academy for school, and if I can't do that, I'm going to go and commission as an officer later in life.

-Well that's wonderful.

It's great to have you here.

Hello, Isaiah.

Tell us about yourself.

-Hi.

My name is Isaiah.

I'm a junior.

I'm in mock trial and I'm also in debate club.

-So, tell me about mock trial.

How does that go?

-So, it's like a law team, where we basically do all facets of the, I guess, legal process, except being a judge.

So, like, we have witnesses, lawyers, things like that.

-Wow.

That must be fascinating.

Learn a lot, right?

-Yeah.

-So, I guess you want to be a lawyer?

-Maybe someday.

-Maybe.

-Alright.

Well, good.

Hello, Daniella.

What are you up to?

-I'm Daniella.

I'm a junior over at Bowie.

I am debate club co-president and class of 2025 senator.

-That's great.

And do you get to make a lot of difference at your school being a senator?

-Yes.

We actually held a meeting with our county executive last week.

-Oh, fabulous.

And what did you discuss?

-We discussed renovations for our school and some changes we would like to see in our county in general.

-Alright.

Well, good for you.

Here's your first question.

You won't have to abandon anything if you find in this phrase the name of what pack animal, sometimes called a burro?

-Donkey.

Yeah.

An organization that has gone out of existence can best be described by which of these adjectives?

-Defunct.

-Yes, defunct is the right answer.

You can complete this proverb if you fill in the blank with the name of what famed Japanese mountain that's frequently depicted in artwork.

-Fuji.

-That's it.

Yeah.

Fuji.

Which of these islands, these three islands, is part of the Aleutian chain off the coast of Alaska?

-Bali?

-No.

Amchitka.

These were the words of what man who boldly killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel?

-Aaron Burr.

-That is right.

-Ooh, I like the stereo.

Nicely done, Bowie.

190 points.

That does it for Mix & Match.

You know we've got Picture Perfect coming at you next.

-I'm David Rubenstein.

From the Kennedy Center and the National Archives to the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, I've been pleased to support many important organizations and historic sites linked to American history, art, culture, education, and more.

I believe giving back to our country isn't just an idea, it's an action, a patriotic action that involves all of us, and it begins with education and learning about our nation's past so that we, the people, can make a more perfect union for the future.

We can do it together.

Please read, learn, get involved and make a difference.

-Alrighty, audience.

Well, it's your Adam's apple.

Folks said that the bulge in a man's throat happened when the biblical Adam swallowed the apple, and it got stuck in his throat.

Thus, the Adam's apple.

[ Cheers and applause ] Alright, it's time for the Picture Perfect round, where questions are worth 20 points up or down.

Once again, first team to buzz in gets to answer.

Here we go.

This unusual drinking vessel is made from the egg of what largest bird now in existence?

Montgomery -Answer.

-Ostrich.

-Ostrich is right.

"Art and revolt will die only with the last man."

This defiant quote comes from what French-Algerian author of -- Yes, Montgomery.

Answer.

-Camus.

-Yeah.

The Shoshone Falls are part of what western river, the longest tributary of the Columbia River?

Yes, Montgomery.

Answer.

-Snake.

-Snake it is.

One root of this equation is zero.

What -- Montgomery.

-3?

-No, it's negative-3.

This is the golden portal in Samarkand, a city conquered in 1220 by what great Mongol -- Yes, Chantilly.

-Genghis Khan?

-You are right.

This reef is popular with scuba divers swimming off what Caribbean island, whose capital is Kingston?

Yeah, Montgomery.

-Jamaica?

-Jamaica it is.

In the 1800s, African-American troops serving in the western United States were given -- Montgomery.

-Buffalo Soldiers.

-Buffalo Soldiers is right.

This old Arabic manuscript discusses what theorem -- Yes, Montgomery.

-The Pythagorean theorem.

-You got it.

And that is the end of the Picture Perfect round.

Let's recap those scores.

Richard Montgomery -- 340 points, Chantilly -- 230 points, and Bowie -- 190 points.

[ Applause ] So we already met these great students.

Now we get to meet the people who helped them get here on "It's Academic" -- their coaches and administrators.

We begin with Richard Montgomery from Rockville.

So, Josh, who's with you?

-With us, we have Miss Deeny, our principal, and Mr. Mason, our team coach and sponsor.

We admire Miss Deeny for her humanistic approach to administering the school, and Mr. Mason is our mentor and our friend, and we've come to know him as a guidance to us, and we all love him very much.

-That's lovely.

Thank you so much, Josh.

Over to Chantilly High School.

Haley, tell us about who's here with you.

-So we have Miss K here.

She is our wonderful coach and also one of the lovely Latin teachers at our school, and we really appreciate her for always being here every week and supporting us, and, you know, just bringing such a positive mindset to us wanting to come every week and just answer trivia questions.

We also have our parents here who drove us here, and also my dad asked me questions in the car, so I appreciate that from him.

But yes, they've been very supportive in just bringing us here and letting us do our thing and having fun with us.

-That's awesome.

Thank you, Haley.

And over to Bowie.

Isaiah, tell me about your coaches.

-Our coach is Mr. Morris.

He's the greatest government teacher anybody could ever have.

He's a sponsor and a mentor for our team.

Yeah.

-Alright, well, we're really glad to have you, and, of course, him as well.

Alright.

Well, it's great to have your coach here and all of your coaches and principal.

Now we get to do the Packet round.

You know how this works.

Richard Montgomery will get to answer questions first.

Chantilly will choose which packet.

They will answer questions, from 1, 2, or 3.

-3.

-3.

And of course, in this round, questions are worth 20 points.

Nothing off for a wrong answer.

If you get all the questions right, there's a 25 point bonus.

Here we go.

Sculptor Metta Fuller first gained attention when she created a frightening bust of what snakey-haired gorgon whose looks could kill?

-Medusa.

-Yeah.

The last link of the first transcontinental railroad was ceremoniously hammered into place in what western states settled by Brigham Young?

-Utah.

-Yes.

Michelangelo was clearly someone who liked to take his time, since it took him four years to finish the painting of what chapel at the Vatican?

-Sistine?

-Yes.

Here's your science question.

Which of these terms refers to the curved surface of a liquid that's been poured into a glass cylinder?

-Meniscus.

-Yeah.

1847 saw the publication of the first detailed study of what pre-Columbian Native American culture that had flourished on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula?

-Maya.

Maya.

-You've got it.

The sinking by a sperm whale of the USS Essex in 1820 provided the inspiration for the novel "Moby Dick" by what author?

-Melville.

-Melville is it.

Here's your math question.

What is the value of x in this equation?

-Zero.

-Yeah.

Singing apples capable of persuading anyone to do anything supposedly exist in the desert of what North African country where Tripoli is capital?

-Libya.

-Libya is right.

And with that, Richard Montgomery, you've got that 25 point bonus and a score of 525 points.

Nicely done.

Alright, Chantilly, you're up.

Bowie, Packet 1 or Packet 2?

-1 -1, Chantilly.

27 publishers no doubt regretted their failure to hop on the first book of what author, whose subsequent bestsellers included "Hop on Pop"?

-Dr. Seuss.

-Dr. Seuss.

The brilliant Dr. Seuss.

To prevent interference with aircraft during World War II, the British government banned what lightweight toy that Benjamin Franklin had flown during an electrical storm?

-Kite?

-Yeah.

In 2013, the bones of a new species of dinosaur were found by paleontologists on what large island off Africa's east coast?

-Madagascar.

-I love when you answer together.

Here's your science question.

Which of these nerves helps control the muscles of your tongue?

-Sciatic?

-No.

Hypoglossal.

The distance between Canada's east and west coasts is greater than the distance between Canada and what capital of the Irish Republic?

-Dublin.

-Yes, and that's something.

The poet William Henley declared that he was the captain of what spiritual side of himself, the same essence that Faust sold to the devil?

-His soul?

-Yeah.

Here's your math question.

If carpeting costs $2 per square foot, what will it cost to carpet a room 12 feet by nine feet?

-$216?

-Nice.

3,000 years ago, people enjoyed chocolate drinks in what Central American country where Tegucigalpa is now capital?

-Honduras.

-Honduras is right.

Chantilly, great job.

370 points.

[ Applause ] And that leaves Packet number 2 for Bowie High School.

An Internet auction took in over $300,000 for a rare copy of the first comic book, featuring what hero, known to ordinary people as Clark Kent?

-Superman.

-Yeah.

On average, an athlete takes about 20,000 strides while running what type of long distance foot race, which covers 26 miles and 385 yards?

-Marathon?

-Marathon is right.

Rivers commonly marked boundary lines, but what mountain range separates France from Spain?

Answer is the Pyrenees.

Now for your science question.

Annelida, aves -- also pronounced "Ah-vees" -- or amoeba.

To dispose of a half million old telephone books, in 1991, Minnesota authorities fed them to earthworms, which belonged to which of these groups?

-Annelida?

-Yep.

That's it.

Though he had seven children with his first wife and 13 with his second wife, what abolitionist still found time to raid the arsenal at Harpers Ferry in 1859?

The answer is...John Brown.

A children's book titled "Farmer Giles of Ham" is among the lesser known works by what Englishmen, who also wrote "The Hobbit"?

-Oh.

The answer is...Tolkien.

Here's your math question.

What is the value of this expression?

-20.

-Yeah.

In 2006, after a long boat trip that involved fighting off rebels and crocodiles, an expedition declared the true source of the Nile to be in what country, where Kigali is capital?

-And that answer is -- -Egypt?

-Pardon me?

-Egypt?

-Nope.

It's Rwanda.

Alright, Bowie, you have got 270 points.

We've got the Grab Bag round next, so please stay where you are.

-Hello, I'm David Rubenstein.

Did you know that a cockroach can live up to a week without its head?

It can breathe through tiny holes in its body segments, but it needs its head to eat and drink, so a week is about it.

I'm David Rubenstein, reminding you to read, learn, get involved, and make a difference.

-Now a question for our audience.

What 20th century millionaire and aviation pioneer filled his plane with ping pong balls so it would float if it crashed in the Pacific?

The answer is Howard Hughes.

Definitely creative thinking.

We don't know if he brought along paddles to get back to shore.

Now back to the game.

♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Alright, and now it's time for... -The Grab Bag round!

-Yes!

Here we go.

Questions are worth 20 points up or down.

What chess piece, in addition to the pawn, can be used in the opening move of a chess -- -Knight.

-Chantilly.

Yes, it's a knight.

The once popular theory that if one nation fell to communism, its neighbors would also -- Montgomery.

-The domino theory.

-Yeah.

Choice.

The number of protons in the most common isotope of the helium atom is two, four or -- Chantilly.

-Two?

-Two is right.

On your monitors.

Some terraced rice paddies were created thousands of years ago on Luzon, the largest island in -- Montgomery.

-The Philippines.

Philippines is correct.

Called the Cinematograph Volta, the first movie theater in Ireland was the idea of what author of "Finnegans Wake" and -- Montgomery.

-James Joyce?

-James Joyce is right.

If a car travels 96 miles on eight gallons of gas, how many miles will it go on -- Chantilly?

-12?

-No.

How many miles would it go on 12 gallons?

144 miles.

Since he couldn't surf the 'Net, the Sultan in the "Arabian Nights" spent 1,001 nights listening to the stories of what story-- Montgomery.

-Scheherazade.

-Yeah.

On your screens.

This motto is attributed to Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, a medieval Spanish hero known by what short -- Montgomery.

-El Cid?

-Yes.

Baseball in China goes back to 1863, when an American missionary organized a baseball club in what largest Chinese city?

Yes, Montgomery?

-Shanghai.

-Correct.

Archeologists think they have now found the tomb Of what Ancient Greek philosopher, a student of Plato?

Yes, Montgomery?

-Aristotle.

-Aristotle is it, right under the wire.

You answered that question, and that is it for the game.

We'll have the scores for you in just a second.

-I'm David Rubenstein, and I believe giving back is something we all can do.

Many students are getting involved in their communities in important ways.

I've asked them to share with us how they're making a difference.

-Hey, I'm Joseph Hartlove, and I'm a senior at Sherwood High School, and I'm the founder of a club at my school called Students to End Poverty, and at Students to End Poverty, we hold food drives to help assist impoverished families in our local community.

In addition, over the summer, I went with the Appalachia Service Project, also known as ASP, to help repair the homes of families in West Virginia that couldn't afford it.

Being able to help other people and do community service is something that I really enjoy, and I'm glad that I'm able to put out good in the world.

-Like these students, you too can help improve the lives of so many people by volunteering in your town and community.

Please read, learn, get involved, and make a difference.

-Now a question for our viewing audience.

It was Eugene O'Neill, who later won the Nobel Prize for literature.

Back to the game.

Hey, the scores are now official.

We begin with Bowie High School from Prince George's County.

Caitlyn, Isaiah, Daniella, 270 points.

From Chantilly High School in Fairfax County, Griffin, Haley, Xavier -- 390 points.

And coming back for the semifinals, the incredibly fast team from Richard Montgomery High School in Montgomery County.

Michelle, Josh, and Rachel -- 665 points.

Blowing it up.

Stay with us, because we will be right back.

-Support for "It's Academic" has been provided by the following.

MITRE, a not for profit research and development company working in the public interest.

-What happens when the right people connect?

Diversity challenges convention, mentors inspire greatness, and passions drive innovation.

From health to transportation and national security, cyber and AI, to space and back, MITRE connects the power of government, academia, and industry to meet our nation's challenges.

Together, MITRE connects.

-That's it for us.

We are so glad that you were with us today.

I'm Hillary Howard.

See you next time.

Bye, everybody.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪