On Feb. 2, three schools met to compete in the 2nd Annual Academic Bowl hosted by Crescenta Valley Adventist Elementary School (CVAS).

Participants were noticeably nervous as they faced a packed Living Stones’ Fellowship Hall. With shaky hands hovering over table buzzers, the students were prepared for questions that ranged from math to English to science to social studies.

Representing CVAS were fifth and sixth grade students Michael Matsuda, Alexandria Tahmassian, Finn Traxler and Liam Sofias. San Fernando Valley Adventist representatives were Jaden Gonzales, Alfredo Patao, Janis Leones, and Zachary Barrientos. Representatives from Conejo included Grant Takemoto, Leilani Lockwood, Jonathon Castiglioni and Claire Neslund.

Though fifth grade competed separately from sixth grade, the schools placed equally: San Fernando contestants were the victors of both rounds, Conejo finished in a close second, and CVAS won third place.

Parents and teachers cheered and supported their teams.

“I was trying to answer these questions myself, but they were hard!” said parent Mark Newmyer.

The students practiced hard for the event and it showed as they answered two questions on average per minute for 15 consecutive minutes.

Despite the pressure, the event was enjoyed by participating students, audience members and school staff.

Principal Phil Hudema of Conejo said, “My seventh graders who participated last year really want to do it again. We need do this for junior high, too!”