Dec. 22, 2021

History Bowl: Fort Couch teams tie for first

Two teams of Fort Couch Middle School students recently tied for first place in the 6th-8th grade division of the regional History Bowl at the Senator John Heinz History Center. The eighth-grade team of Sofia Alfredson Themudo, Chloe Bird, Sara Gillespie, Kaia Petrick and Ellie Simons and the seventh-grade team of Molly Biedrzycki, Emma Eannarino, Lizzie Myers and Hayley Zeringue took top honors.

“Throughout the day-long event students used their knowledge of the humanities, along with problem solving, reasoning, critical thinking skills and creativity as they completed four competitive experiences,” Connie Gibson, gifted education coordinator, said.

The competition’s four challenges included: 

• Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation and Pittsburgh Past and Present
• Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum and Sports Trivia
• Heinz Exhibit and Heinz by the Numbers
• Sigo Falk Collections Center with Interview with History

A third team from Fort Couch Middle School placed second in the History Bowl. Team members include eighth graders Ayan Amin and Tony Chen, along with seventh graders Colt Erdos, Ryan Katukota and Myles Owens. 

Serving as mentors for the event were Connie Gibson, gifted education coordinator at Fort Couch Middle School, and Sherri Garvey, gifted/enrichment resource teacher at Boyce Middle School. 

Sponsored by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, the one-day event challenges students to find answers to questions, think and write creatively, and practice problem solving abilities as they explore the history center’s exhibits.