Memorial Middle School Wins Cardinal Challenge

Last year, narrowly lost the Cardinal Challenge – an annual, academic challenge between Mentor middle schools.

"We lost by 10 points, so it was a long year," Memorial Coach Danielle Sherritt said.

Ten of Sherritt's 16 team members this year are veterans of that team, and they remembered the sting of a close loss. They started practicing in October and doubled their practices to twice a week after Christmas, all with the rematch in mind.

The hard work paid off, and Memorial edged and in a city series Thursday night.

"They did a great job and I'm so proud of them," Sherritt said.

Students from all three schools had to answer questions about art, history, math, music, science and English. They needed knowledge on subjects as disparate as the Iditarod, Rudyard Kipling, the cotton gin and Bristol Palin to win.

The teams battled in a series of timed rounds, where they only fought the clock, and lightning rounds in which students needed quick hands and quick minds.

Memorial won with 270 points, followed by Shore at 220 and Ridge at 190. Chris Miller and Melissa Leslie coached the Shore and Ridge teams, respectively.

Memorial will go on to a regional competition March 12 at John Carroll University.

Superintendent Jacqueline Hoynes thanked all the students who competed and parents who attended.

"We'd like to thank the parents for encouraging your kids to develop their intellectual prowess," Hoynes said after the challenge.