
Championship Belchertown High Vs. Longmeadow High June 28, 2025
Season 64 Episode 26 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Championship Belchertown High Vs. Longmeadow High June 28, 2025
Championship Belchertown High Vs. Longmeadow High June 28, 2025
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
As Schools Match Wits is a local public television program presented by NEPM
Westfield State University

Championship Belchertown High Vs. Longmeadow High June 28, 2025
Season 64 Episode 26 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Championship Belchertown High Vs. Longmeadow High June 28, 2025
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> The historic 64th season of As Schools Match.
Wits is coming to an end.
Join us for tonight's Championship match as Belchertown High School goes up against Longmeadow High School.
Which team will walk away with the Colmore Cup tonight?
Find out next.
As schools match wits.
>> The members of the Massachusetts Teachers Association are working together to ensure that all students have the resources they need to succeed.
The MTA, a diverse union of education workers committed to the public schools and colleges our communities deserve.
>> You can see the difference from the first couple of minutes that you walk onto this campus.
You realize that it's not just a campus.
It's a community.
It's a family.
>> Good evening and welcome to.
As schools match wits coming to you from the campus of Westfield State University.
I'm your host, Beth Ward.
This season, high schools from throughout our region went head to head in qualifying matches to see who could score enough points to finish in the top eight and compete in the championship tournament.
Well, the semifinals are over and there are just two teams remaining.
The battle to be champion begins tonight.
We have Belchertown High School facing off against Longmeadow High School.
Let's meet the teams, starting with Longmeadow, coached by Tracy Kelly.
>> Hi, I'm Spencer Delizo, a senior from Longmeadow High School.
>> Hi, I'm Thomas Breed, and I'm a senior from Longmeadow High School.
>> Hi.
My name is Nicholas Christopher, and I'm a senior at Longmeadow High School.
>> Hi.
My name is Marin Gebhart, and I'm a senior at Longmeadow High School.
I'd like to take this moment to acknowledge our alternates.
Ethan Bell and CJ Delizo.
>> And for Belchertown, coached by Steve Vinu.
>> Hi.
I'm Devyn Berryhill, and I'm a sophomore at Belchertown High School.
>> My name is Jack Myers and I'm a senior at Belchertown High School.
>> Hi, I'm Sean Lindsey and a sophomore from Belchertown High.
>> Hi, I'm Owen Lorenzo.
I'm a sophomore from Belchertown High School, and I would like to recognize Myles McNamara and Kian Lindsey as our alternates.
>> As we do each match, we begin with the challenge round.
Both teams will have a chance to buzz in and answer questions for ten points each.
Are we ready?
Okay.
Good luck to both teams.
Here we go with the first question of the evening.
Complete the following relationship.
New Delhi is to India as what capital is to Nicaragua?
Belchertown.
>> Managua.
>> Managua is correct.
This 20th century American author wrote such classics as Something Wicked, This Way Comes and The Martian Chronicles.
Name this author.
Belchertown.
>> Andy.
Weir.
>> I'm sorry.
That is incorrect.
All right, Longmeadow High School, because Belchertown answered incorrectly.
You get the chance to answer automatically.
All right, Longmeadow, can you answer Ray Bradbury?
Yes, that is correct.
>> They look very surprised that they got that one correct.
Nice job.
>> If you were using the Midi communications protocol spelled M, I'd I would you most likely be an airplane pilot?
>> Longmeadow musician.
>> Didn't have to finish that.
Yes, musician is correct.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe began on May 2nd, 2008 with the release of what film?
>> Belchertown Iron Man.
>> With Robert Downey Jr.
Yes, that's correct.
In which of the following years did the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympic Games take place in Atlanta, Georgia?
Was it 1996, 2000 or 2004?
>> Longmeadow 1996?
>> Yes, that's right.
If you travel due north from previously mentioned Managua, Nicaragua.
Belchertown.
>> Is it Honduras?
>> Honduras is the first national border that you'll cross?
Yes, with the atomic number of 55 on the periodic table of elements.
What element has the symbol?
CS.
Belchertown.
>> Cesium.
>> Cesium?
Yes.
That's right.
In which of the following parts of the human body will you find?
Ilium?
The foot, the pelvis or the shoulder?
Belchertown.
>> Yeah.
Go for it.
>> Shoulder.
>> I'm sorry.
That is incorrect.
All right.
Longmeadow.
That gives you the chance to answer.
>> Pelvis.
>> Pelvis.
Yes.
That's right.
On February 8th, 2025, this organization changed its name to Scouting America.
Longmeadow.
>> Boy Scouts of America.
>> Yes, that is correct.
If two angles of a parallelogram measure 93 degrees each.
Belchertown.
>> 87.
>> Yes, that.
That is correct.
Very nice job.
Didn't have to finish that at a mere 812ft.
Jerimoth Hill is the highest point in what New England state?
Belchertown.
>> Rhode Island.
>> Yes, Rhode Island is right.
Which of the following is not a note in an A major scale?
C D or F sharp.
Belchertown.
>> Which is it.
You know was C sharp C sharp.
>> I'm sorry.
That is incorrect.
Longmeadow High School, can you answer the question?
D sharp D is the right answer.
A Vlan spelled V is a logical grouping of devices that share the same physical network.
>> Longmeadow a virtual local area network.
>> Yes, that is correct.
What type of vascular tissue in plants serve?
Mainly to conduct water upward from the roots of the plant.
Belchertown.
>> Salem.
>> Yes, that is correct.
What is the base ten equivalent of the binary number one followed by six zeros.
>> Belchertown 0263.
>> 6464.
>> Yes, 64 is correct.
>> Observed in many countries on May 1st, May day or worker's day is similar to what U.S. holiday Belchertown Labor Day?
Yes, that is correct.
Observed on Monday in September, according to American tradition, gifts given to a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
Longmeadow gold with the atomic number of 79.
Yes, that's correct.
The 30 Years War was fought between Catholic and Protestant states in Central Europe.
During which century was it?
Belchertown?
>> 17th.
>> Yes.
Very nice.
Which U.S. constitutional article holds that the US Constitution and all laws made from it are the supreme law?
Belchertown.
>> It's nine six.
>> Yes.
Article six is.
>> Right.
>> If you owned a divan, would you sit on it, drive it or play music with it?
>> Belchertown, sit on it.
>> Sit on it.
It's a large couch.
Nice job.
Red litmus paper will turn blue when it comes into contact.
>> Belchertown base.
>> Yes, that is correct.
On what type of solution?
Complete this phrase from Robert Frost.
These woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep Longmeadow.
>> Miles to go before I sleep.
>> Yes, that's right.
>> And that marks the end of our challenge round.
Let's take a moment now to meet the team from Longmeadow High School.
>> Hi, I'm Mackenzie Gaudet from Westfield State University.
We asked the team from Longmeadow High what would winning the Colmore Cup mean to you and your school?
>> Well, we lost last year, so it would be nice to be able to say we actually ended up winning this year.
>> I mean, we made it to finals last year and we just barely lost.
I think this is our redemption.
>> Well, seeing as how we got creamed last year, I think it would be redemption for us to come back and win it this year.
>> I have been coming to school with since 2018, when I used to watch my brother film, and then getting to be on the team myself and becoming president.
It's just really been a culmination of my high school experience and after narrowly missing the win last year, it'd be really sweet to have this win for my senior year.
>> We have a close match going on right now, so let's move on to the first lightning round of the evening.
Each team will have a chance to buzz in and answer questions for five points each.
Buzz in and answer correctly.
You win five points.
Answer incorrectly.
However, your team loses five points.
Well, we are getting close to finding the winner of our championship match.
In this lightning round, all of the answers are words that begin with the letter W, as in the word winner.
You have 90s starting right now.
Your hands hold this while driving a car.
Belchertown.
We'll we'll we'll is the right answer.
Stinging insect with black and Belchertown.
>> Wasp.
>> Wasp is correct.
What a meteorologist forecasts.
Longmeadow weather.
Weather is correct.
To speak quietly and privately.
Longmeadow.
Whisper.
Whisper is right.
It's the opposite of right.
Longmeadow.
>> Wrong.
>> Wrong is correct.
You can check this to tell the time.
Belchertown.
>> Watch.
>> Watch is right.
Body part where you might wear your watch.
Belchertown.
>> Wrist.
>> Wrist is correct.
Humpback.
Blue or beluga.
Longmeadow.
>> Whale.
>> Whale is correct.
A structured regime of physical Longmeadow.
Exercise is a workout.
A large piece of glass at the front of a car.
>> Belchertown window pane.
>> Windshield is the right answer.
It's one of the four seasons.
Longmeadow.
Winter.
Winter is right town where Napoleon met his final defeat.
Longmeadow.
>> Waterloo.
>> Waterloo is right.
Object.
You hit a ball through Longmeadow.
>> Wicked.
>> Yes.
In croquet.
That is correct.
A pocket size folding case to hold money.
Longmeadow.
Wallet.
Wallet is right.
A what in time?
By Madeleine L'Engle.
Belchertown.
Wrinkle.
Wrinkle is correct.
Instrument.
Family with oboes, flutes and clarinets.
Belchertown.
>> Woodwind.
>> Woodwind is correct.
He was the Big cheese in Oz.
Longmeadow.
>> Wizard.
>> Wizard is right.
Ducks, geese and loons.
Longmeadow.
>> Waterfowl.
>> Yes.
That's correct.
Where Alice meant the Mad Hatter.
Belchertown.
>> Wonderland.
>> Wonderland is right.
An Arctic marine mammal with large tusks.
Belchertown.
>> Walrus.
>> Did they get that in time?
Not quite in time, however, that answer is right.
Walrus.
Not going to count this time, though.
Nice job on that lightning round.
And that bell does mark the end of our first lightning round.
All right, let's move on with the capitalization round.
That's where teams get the chance to pick a category and a point value.
They'll need to answer a qualifying question first before they can continue on for points.
Now, if they fail to answer that qualifying question correctly, their opponents will have the opportunity to capitalize and get those points.
All right.
We have a close match going on right now.
We're having a lot of fun in the studio, so let's move on.
The first team to pick a category and a point value is Longmeadow, who is a bit behind.
But let's see what happens.
Longmeadow.
What's it going to be?
>> General knowledge for 30.
>> General knowledge for 30.
All you have picked the Westfield State University entrance exam.
And here to ask you the question is the president of Westfield State, Doctor Linda Thompson.
>> Congratulations on making it to the championship match.
If you answer the qualifier and all of the category questions correctly, you'll win an additional ten points.
Good luck.
Listen carefully.
I'm leaving on a trip to Mozambique.
To qualify, please spell Mozambique as it's used in that sentence.
>> M a m b I q u.
>> Yes that's right, let's move on.
In this category, more countries in Africa whose names start with the letter M for ten points each.
First, Mauritania is a sovereign country in northwest Africa, spelled the name Mauritania.
>> M a u r I t a I a.
>> Yes that's right.
Madagascar is an island country off the east coast of Mozambique.
>> Spell Madagascar m a d a g a c a r. >> Yes.
That's right.
All right.
Finally, try this one.
Mauritius is an island country in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Madagascar.
Spelled the name Mauritius.
>> M a u r I t I o u s. >> Yes.
Very nice job you answered all of those correctly.
Your team wins the Westfield State University entrance exam question and an additional ten points.
Congratulations to you.
Okay, Belchertown, please pick a category and a point value.
>> Math and science for 30.
>> Math and science for 30.
Your qualifying question.
Take a look at your screen.
The graph of this equation is which of the four conic sections.
>> Circle.
>> Circle.
Yes.
That's right.
Sticking with conic sections for ten points each.
Take a look at your screen first.
The graph of this equation is which conic section?
>> Parabola.
>> Yes that's right.
Here's a two parter and I'll need both for credit.
The graph of this equation is what conic section and what is the length of its minor axis?
>> Ellipse.
Six.
>> Yes.
That's right.
And finally, the graph of this equation is which conic section.
>> Hyperbola.
>> Yes.
That's right.
Very nice job, Longmeadow.
Once again, your turn.
>> Arts and entertainment for 30, please.
>> Arts and entertainment for 30.
We have a video qualifier for this, so please take a look at your screen.
>> Hi, I'm Peter Sokolowski, editor at large for Merriam-Webster in Springfield, Massachusetts, with your qualifying question.
The word spontaneous is an adjective defined as arising from a momentary impulse.
Here's how it's used in a sentence.
The film caused several bouts of spontaneous applause from the audience.
To qualify, spell the word spontaneous.
>> S p o n t a n e o u s. >> You are randomly getting those spelling Questions and yes, that is correct.
All right, let's move on.
Spontaneous laughter can result from television comedy as well, of course.
Identify the following television programs based on the clues that I give you for ten points each.
Take a look at your screen first.
This is the 1975 cast of the television comedy show that just celebrated its 50th birthday.
Name the show.
>> Saturday Night Live.
>> Yes.
That's correct.
Recently renewed for its fifth and sixth seasons on CBS, this sitcom involves a young couple who moved into an old house, only to find that it is haunted by several spirits from many generations in the past.
Name the show.
>> Ghosts.
>> Yes.
That's correct.
And finally, try this.
Getting its start as a standalone TV show in 1989, this animated sitcom has been a Fox television fixture ever since.
Name the show The Simpsons.
The Simpsons is correct.
Very nice.
Belchertown.
Once again, your turn.
>> Social studies for 30.
>> Social studies for 30 to qualify.
Take a look at your screen.
The eight gold stars on this US States flag represent the Big Dipper and the North Star.
What state?
>> Alaska.
>> Yes, Alaska is right.
Moving on in this category, more about US state flags for ten points each.
Once again, look at your screen first.
This flags southwestern state is the fifth largest state by area in the Union.
It was admitted as the 47th state on January 6th, 1912.
Name this state.
>> New Mexico.
>> Yes.
That's correct.
Adopted in January of 2021, this Southern States flag consists of a white magnolia blossom surrounded by 21 stars.
The previous flag, adopted in 1894, contained an image of the Confederate battle flag in the upper left corner.
>> Mississippi.
>> Yes, Mississippi is correct.
And finally, the flag of this New England state includes an image of an anchor and the word hope, both of which are surrounded by 13 stars.
It was adopted in 1897.
Name the state Rhode Island.
Yes.
Rhode Island is correct.
Longmeadow.
Once again, please pick a category and a point value.
>> World events for 30.
>> World events for 30.
Qualifying question.
Take a look at your screen.
February 22nd, 2025 March The 45th anniversary of the US men's Olympic hockey team's upset victory over the heavily favored team from the Soviet Union at the Winter Olympics in what New York town were the Winter Olympics held in 1980?
>> Lake Placid?
>> Yes, Lake Placid is correct.
Let's move on.
Sticking with other events that occurred in the year 1980 for ten points each, take a look at your screen.
First, the Iran-Iraq War began in September of 1980 after this Iraqi dictator ordered his forces to invade Iran.
Name him.
>> Khomeini.
>> Saddam Hussein is the right answer there.
Let's try this.
Ted Turner launched what?
Cable television news Network on June 1st, 1980.
>> ABC.
>> CNN is the right answer.
Their cable television network.
And finally, when this ever popular puzzle was first patented in 1975, it was called Magic Cube.
What was the name that made history when the puzzle debuted internationally at the London Toy Fair in January of 1980?
>> The Rubik's cube.
>> Yes, Rubik's cube is right.
Okay.
Belchertown.
Once again, please pick a category and a point value.
>> Math and science for 25.
>> Math and science for 25.
To qualify, we have a video qualifier.
Once again, please look at your screen.
>> Hi, I'm Lauren Larson, a physicist here at CERN in Switzerland, with your qualifying question.
In 2012, we confirmed the existence of a mass giving field by finding its associated boson.
To qualify, what is the name of this boson?
>> Higgs boson?
>> Yes.
That's right.
Let's move on.
More about subatomic particles for ten points each.
First, in 1897, J.J. Thomson discovered what subatomic particle through his experiments with cathode ray tubes, demonstrating that atoms contain tiny, negatively charged particles.
>> Electron.
>> Yes.
That's right.
In 1919, Ernest Rutherford discovered what subatomic particle through his gold foil experiment, which showed that atoms have a positively charged nucleus.
Proton protons is right.
And finally, this one's for five points.
In 1932, James Chadwick discovered what subatomic particle located within the nucleus, which has no charge.
>> Neutron.
>> Yes.
That's right.
Longmeadow.
Once again, please pick a category and a point value.
>> Literature for 30.
>> Going for it.
Okay.
Literature for 30.
To qualify A Series of Unfortunate Events is a series of children's novels that follow the adventures of three orphaned siblings, the Baudelaire children.
The series was written by American author Daniel Handler.
Under what pen name?
>> Lemony Snicket.
>> Yes.
That's correct.
Let's see what you know about Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events for ten points each.
First, in the first book of the series, The Bad Beginning, we meet the three Baudelaire orphans 14 year old Violet, 12 year old Klaus, and their little baby sister, whose name is what is it, tulip.
Sonny or Mimi?
>> Sonny.
>> Sonny.
Yes.
That's right.
Following the loss of their parents and home, the Baudelaire orphans are sent to live with a distant relative, a failing actor named what?
Count Benjamin, Count Jarvis or Count Olaf?
>> Count Olaf?
>> Yes.
That's right.
All right, finally, try this one.
The number of books in A Series of Unfortunate Events totals appropriately.
How many?
>> 13.
>> Yes, 13 is correct.
Very nice.
Belchertown.
Once again, your turn.
>> Social studies for 25.
>> Social studies for 25 to qualify.
Which of the following US states does not border any part of the state of Missouri Arkansas.
Indiana.
Nebraska or Iowa?
>> Indiana.
>> Indiana.
>> Yes.
Indiana is correct.
Moving on.
Let's see.
Let's use the state of Missouri as a point of reference.
I'll name another US state.
You tell me if it lies north, south, east or west of Missouri.
For five points each.
Here's the first one.
Kentucky.
>> East.
>> East.
>> East is correct.
How about Iowa.
>> North?
>> North is correct.
Try Arkansas.
>> South.
>> South is right.
Indiana.
>> East.
East.
>> East is correct.
And finally, how about Kansas?
>> West.
>> West is right.
Good job.
All right.
Longmeadow, once again, your turn.
>> General knowledge for 25.
>> General knowledge for 25.
To qualify, we once again have a video qualifier.
Take a look at your screen.
>> Hi, everyone.
I'm Maura Healey, governor of Massachusetts, with your qualifying question.
I love basketball, I got to play in college and the birthplace of basketball.
Springfield, Massachusetts houses the Basketball Hall of Fame and Springfield College, where the sport was invented.
To qualify.
What is the name of the inventor of basketball.
>> James Naismith?
>> Yes, you are correct.
Let's move on in this category.
More about the invention of popular sports for ten points each.
First, in 1895, a former student of James Naismith, William C Morgan invented a game originally called Mintonette while working as a physical education director at the Holyoke YMCA.
What is the name of this game?
>> Volleyball.
>> Volleyball.
Yes.
That's right.
This sport is thought to have started in 12th century France, with players swatting a ball with their hands over a stretched piece of rope.
What sport did this eventually evolve into?
>> Tennis.
>> Tennis?
Yes.
That's right.
Finally.
This one's for five points.
Long been known as America's pastime, this sport evolved from a variety of stick and ball games, including those played in England like rounders and cricket.
Name this sport.
>> Baseball?
>> Yes.
Baseball.
That is correct.
And with a tie score that marks the end of our capitalization round.
Let's take a moment now to meet the team from Belchertown High School.
>> Hi, I'm Mackenzie Gaudet from Westfield State University.
We asked the team from Belchertown High what would winning the Colmore Cup mean to you and your school?
>> It would mean a lot winning as a small school that has never won before.
>> Um, it would mean a.
>> Lot.
>> To sort of bring home a victory from something that isn't a common sport.
>> I think could be important.
Um, because I don't think we've ever won it before.
And it would be exciting.
>> It would be awesome because we have an entirely new team.
And since I'm a senior, I just want to have one last send off before I go.
B-town.
>> You see the score?
It is tied as we move in to the final lightning round of the match.
You know how this works.
Each team will have a chance to buzz in and answer questions for five points each.
Buzz in and answer correctly.
You win five points.
However, if your team answers incorrectly, you lose five points.
As we come down to the end of the 64th season of As schools match Wits.
The answers to our final lightning round of this season will be words containing the letter sequence E, D as in the word end.
All right.
Let's go.
Good luck to both teams.
You have 90s starting right now.
A close companion.
Belchertown.
>> Friend.
>> Friend is correct to combine or mix two or more substances.
Longmeadow.
Blend.
Blend is right.
A list of things to cover in a meeting.
Belchertown.
>> Agenda.
>> Agenda is right.
The Bill of rights had ten of these Belchertown amendments.
Yes.
That's correct.
To rise from a lower level to a higher level.
Belchertown.
>> Ascend.
Ascend.
>> Ascend is the right answer.
If traditionally includes Saturday and Sunday.
Longmeadow.
>> Weekend.
>> Weekend is right.
Tissue that attaches to a muscle.
Longmeadow.
>> Tendon.
>> Tendon is right.
Someone who sells things.
Belchertown.
>> Vendor.
>> Vendor is right.
The guard over each wheel on a car.
Belchertown.
>> Fender.
>> Fender is right.
Edgar Allan Poe wrote the Pit and Belchertown pendulum.
Pendulum is right.
Your teacher takes this to see who's in class.
Longmeadow.
>> Attendance.
>> Attendance is right to carry on despite hardships.
Longmeadow.
Endure is the right answer there a story handed down from earlier times.
Longmeadow.
>> Legend.
>> Legend is right to pay out money on something.
Belchertown.
>> Spend.
>> Spend is right.
Name of the girl who befriended Peter Pan.
Longmeadow.
Wendy.
Wendy is right and accused.
Individual being.
Belchertown.
>> Defendant.
>> Defendant being tried in court to increase the duration of a game or event.
Longmeadow.
>> Extend.
>> Extend is the right answer.
A tabular register of months, weeks and days.
Longmeadow.
>> Calendar.
>> Calendar is right to suggest or advise on someone's purchase.
Belchertown.
Recommend is the right answer there to incline or veer in a particular direction?
The answer is trend.
However, that bell marks the end of our last lightning round.
It also marks the end of our historic 64 season and our championship match by just five points.
Belchertown, you are the winner tonight.
What a close match to end this season on the historic 64th season.
Longmeadow High School, all seniors every year.
You just bring it.
You are so good to make it this far.
I know you made it this far last year.
Hold your heads high.
I mean, just such a job well done.
So close.
So congratulations to you.
And I'm going to miss you next year, too.
Belchertown High School, the number one seed since their their first match.
And here they are, the winners of the 64th season of As Schools Match Wits.
So congratulations to you.
Job well done I know it's been a great season and so happy for you.
So happy for both teams.
Honestly, what a great way to wrap up the season and to see this season's roster.
And for more information, be sure to log on to our webpage at npr.org.
You can always look for us on Facebook and Instagram.
I'm your host, Beth Ward.
Good night, and be sure to join us again next year for the historic 65th season of As Schools Match Wits.
>> The members of the Massachusetts Teachers Association are working together to ensure that all students have the resources they need to succeed.
The MTA 180 years of commitment to the public, schools and colleges our communities deserve.
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