DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Unionville High School triumphed over 23 rival Chester County schools in the Chester County Academic Competition on March 24, securing its place at the upcoming Pennsylvania State Academic Competition in Harrisburg on May 2. The event, hosted by the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) and sponsored by Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and CCRES Educational and Behavioral Health Services, showcased the brightest minds in the region.
The varsity team’s victory came down to the final moments of an intense match. Unionville overcame a 30-point deficit to edge out the Downingtown STEM Academy and West Chester East High School, prevailing by just five points. The decisive win broke a 125-point tie with Downingtown STEM Academy.
“It was a bit of a rollercoaster,” said Unionville team member Katherine Connolly, who secured the championship-winning answer. “We were down by quite a few points, but I was trying to focus on what I know and apply it in the moment.”
Unionville’s Academic Team Coach Kevin Long praised his students’ efforts and poise under pressure. “These students bring a vast amount of knowledge to the competition. They’re friendly; they stay calm; they work hard,” Long said. “We were down by a lot of points, and they didn’t let that rattle them. They dug in and put themselves in a position to come away with that last question.”
The win underscores the team’s dedication and broad-based preparation, which participant Anand Shah, Unionville’s MVP, attributed to their school’s academic rigor. “Our school does a fantastic job of exposing us to so many different subjects… those small details and facts are what come up in the academic competition,” Shah shared.
Earlier in the evening, the Junior Varsity (JV) competition set the stage for excitement, with Great Valley High School’s JV team narrowly claiming victory over Downingtown STEM Academy and B. Reed Henderson JV teams by a slim 10-point margin.
The Chester County Academic Competition is more than just a contest, according to CCIU special events coordinator Jay Della Ragione. “These students demonstrate that learning extends far beyond traditional classroom walls, showing remarkable growth, critical thinking, and a genuine passion for learning,” he said.
Unionville’s victory comes with a $2,000 scholarship funded by the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union. Runner-up Downingtown STEM Academy received $1,000, while West Chester East High School earned $500.
Unionville now sets its sights on the state competition, where it will represent Chester County alongside defending state champions, West Chester East High School.
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