PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
From left, Lynn Classical students Emily Lao, Rianon Prushinski and Emily Tardiff examine pictures to answer a question during the History Bee at the GAR Building.
BY GAYLA CAWLEY
LYNN — English High School is undefeated in the Carol Ruggiero History Bee, beating Classical High School for the third straight year.
The History Bee, a mix of Civil War and Lynn history and general knowledge questions, is hosted by the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and brings history of the battle into the Lynn Public Schools.
Ruggiero, a longtime teacher and former head of English’s history department, moderated the contest. It is part of the city’s 150th Civil War anniversary week, a tradition that began in 2011, and continues with events over the weekend.
For the competition, 30 minutes of questions were directed at each high school’s four contestants. Representing English were seniors Brenda Bronn, 18, Noah Lima, 17, and sophomores Cameron Stewart, 16, and Meghan Turner, 15. The Classical team included juniors Emily Tardiff, 16, Emily Lao, 17, Esther Severe, 17, and Rianon Prushinski, 17.
The winners will receive $500 towards their school’s history department.
“It was really fun,” Stewart said. “I will definitely look forward to doing it next year.”
David Poland, a history teacher at Classical, said his team comprised of students who worked hard in his class.
Adam Donachie, a teacher at English, said two of his team members were recommended by their teachers and two have experience in previous History Bees.
The final score was 240 to 175 in favor of English. There was only a five point difference with five minutes remaining, but English managed to pull away.
Dexter Bishop, president of the Gen. Lander Civil War Table, said it was the highest scoring match in the game’s history.
“The kids are getting better,” he said.
Participants were stronger on Civil War related questions, but struggled on some questions about Lynn. Neither team could name any of the four City Councilors-at-Large, but did know that 50 years ago, Lynn police used tear gas at a Rolling Stones concert.
Another question successfully answered was that Civil War figure, Harriet Tubman, is slated to replace slave owner President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. Students were able to name two of the three presidents who visited the Lynn area, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge and Theodore Roosevelt. They also knew that John Wilkes Booth assassinated former President Abraham Lincoln.
“It was a good match,” said Turner.
Gayla Cawley can be reached at gcawley@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.