Du Quoin teen places 2nd in online academic competition

Guy Indorante, a senior at Du Quoin High School, finished both second and third in two online academic competitions recently.

Indorante was one of 78 high school students competing online in Buzzword this season. Unlike normal Scholastic Bowl competitions in which teams play face-to-face, Indorante played from home as an individual competitor.

He finished second in Season 3 Level C; and third in Season 3 Level D in the High School division.

Buzzword is a web-based academic competition with divisions for middle school, high school and college competitors. Players listen to recordings of questions and buzz in as soon as they think they know the answer. Correct answers are scored, with extra points given for earlier buzzes.

National Academic Quiz Tournaments created Buzzword to allow academic competitions to continue during social distancing. NAQT had to cancel most of its 2020 quiz bowl national championships, which collectively would have brought about 10,000 people together. Buzzword also has an Open Division for the general public.

People interested in trying Buzzword (you don't have to be a student), can play a sample game by registering at naqt.com/buzzword. The next season of Buzzword will begin on Jan. 14 and run for eight weeks. There are also often individual games with special subjects like movies, sports, history, and more.