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Challenger students compete in Pop-Up Quiz Show

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Challenger Middle School students were quizzed on their knowledge of civics Wednesday.

The Florida Department of Education, as part of the Just Read, Florida! initiative, hosted its Pop-Up Quiz Show at the school in celebration of next month’s literacy week. The show has students research, review and retain civics content, while participating in a fun and exciting challenge at the same time.

Principal Teri Cannady explained that the school’s 7th- and 8th-graders were tested, then the top-scoring students were placed on four-person teams – two teams of 7th-graders and one team of 8th-graders. The 7th grade teams faced off first, with the winner battling it out against the 8th-graders.

“I think it’s great because it’s highlighting the importance of civics and government,” she said.

“It really helps the kids understand,” Cannady added.

The Florida Department of Education reported that it is hosting the shows in 21 school districts throughout the state to help students connect reading and literacy with the importance of civics and their duties as United States citizens. The districts applied to participate, then they were chosen.

“They select one school from each district,” she said.

Cannady believed it is the first time that Challenger had been picked.

“I think it’s the first time it’s come to Lee County,” she said.

With just under 1,100 students, Challenger is the largest middle school in the West Zone.

According to the Florida Department of Education, the overall winning team received a prize, while Challenger earned a collection of books donated by the state department and the Florida Lottery.

Cannady noted that the students were given Pop-Up Quiz Show T-shirts.

On Wednesday, the emcees of the show were Carl Cannady, a Cape police officer and the husband of Cannady, and Hope Colle, an elementary reading specialist with the Just Read, Florida! initiative.

Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! runs Jan. 23-27 and this year’s theme is “Literacy Changes Our World.” According to Cannady, Challenger organizes a mix of activities to recognize the week.

She cited her students reading to local elementary school students as one example.

“It’s a neat experience,” Cannady said. “They get reading buddies.”

Just Read, Florida! is the statewide reading initiative that prioritizes reading in public schools and among the community groups and volunteer organizations that support them, according to the Florida Department of Education.

For information about Just Read, Florida!, visit: www.fldoe.org/.