Severn Seniors Show Poise on It's Academic

11/16/2016

Reprinted with permission from the Severna Park Voice

Duffy Burns '17 plays lacrosse, runs cross country and is a student government senior prefect. Just like other high school seniors, he’s applying to colleges. However, when Burns visits campuses, he spends the long car ride studying trivia questions. Burns just appeared on “It’s Academic,” the longest-running televised quiz show. “It’s like entering a large living room with all blacked-out walls,” Burns said, recounting his experience on the show. “They closed this vault door. It got quiet and dark, and I’m onstage.”

His trivia strengths of history and English are rounded out by his two Severn School quiz mates, Henry Reed '17, with expertise on American literature, and Lindsay Reiter '17 on topics pertaining to music and religion.

“They showed a piece of sheet music and asked the name of the composer. I buzzed in with Beethoven,” Reiter said, recalling a recent win. “The sheet music was ‘Für Elise.’”

The game show boasts five rounds of competition between three teams, each composed of three whiz kids. “The biggest part of preparation is speed. You have to be fast on the buzzer,” Reiter explained. “It’s exciting if you know the answer, nerve-wracking if you’re unsure.”

Julien Meyer, the chair of the mathematics department at Severn School, leads the Upper School’s “It’s Academic” team, composed of a dozen students. The show has been around for 55 years, but Severn’s last competing team was back in the 1970s. When Meyer came to Severn School three years ago, he revived the team. Prior to Severn, Meyer had coached students for the quiz show at Bryn Mawr and St. Paul’s School, both in Baltimore.

“We were fortunate to get on TV our first year,” Meyer said. “Usually, you’re placed on the waiting list.”

There are 81 teams regionally competing each year. The show’s big-name roster includes Hillary Rodham Clinton, George Stephanopoulos, and U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Angus King.

The show’s tradition has inspired alumni to keep tabs on today’s competitors. John Norton '72 rallied audience support for Severn School during last year’s match.

Regardless of who’s watching, Meyer is proud of his team. “Students who learn for learning’s sake tend to be the best,” Meyer said, noting a connection between how students do in school and how they do on the show. “Turned out [that] the three seniors I selected ended up being commended PSAT scholars.”

The students meet as a club with Meyer once a week, more frequently when they are coming up against a television taping or a scrimmage.

“What I really enjoy about the show is having the kids show such poise under pressure,” Meyer said. “Their demeanor and the way they use language is such a good reflection of our school. Win or lose, they are all winners in the end.”

The game aired on November 12 on WJZ-TV at 10:00 am against Gilman (Meyer’s alma mater) and Liberty.

Reporter: Leslie Dolsak

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