
Holyoke High Vs. Smith Academy April 19, 2025
Season 64 Episode 16 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Holyoke High Vs. Smith Academy April 19, 2025
Holyoke High Vs. Smith Academy April 19, 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

Holyoke High Vs. Smith Academy April 19, 2025
Season 64 Episode 16 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Holyoke High Vs. Smith Academy April 19, 2025
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> Join us tonight as Holyoke High School goes up against Smith Academy, the historic 64th season of Western New England's award winning high school quiz show continues tonight 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.
>> Westfield State University has allowed me to grow and pursue my passion to become a neurologist.
I think the quality of education is invaluable.
>> 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.
Once again, high schools from throughout our region are going head to head in qualifying matches to see who can score enough points to finish in the top eight and compete in this season's championship tournament.
In tonight's matchup, we have Holyoke High School going up against Smith Academy.
Let's take a second to meet the teams, starting with Smith Academy, coached by Julie Legrand.
>> Hi, my name is Ian Guzowski and I'm a senior at Smith Academy.
>> Hi.
My name is Jack Brady.
I'm a senior at Smith Academy.
>> Hi.
My name is Lucas Puska and I'm a senior at Smith Academy.
Hi.
>> My name is Connor Kowalski.
I'm a senior at Smith Academy.
>> And for Holyoke High School, coached by Mark Todd and Kevin Bouchard.
>> Hi, I'm Kian Callahan.
I'm a senior from Holyoke High School.
>> Hi.
My name is Adrian Gutierrez Martinez, and I'm a sophomore at Holyoke High School.
>> Hi.
My name is Kennedy Allen.
I'm a senior at Holyoke High School.
>> Hi, I'm Samantha Rodriguez, and I'm a junior at Holyoke High School.
We'd also like to mention our alternates.
Evan Beaudry and Nicholas Rodriguez.
>> Let's take a look at our.
>> Current top eight in our standings.
You can see Belchertown on the top, but the score you want to beat tonight, 280.
That'll get you into the top eight.
So once again, as we do, we start off each match with the challenge round.
Both teams will have a chance to buzz in and answer questions for ten points each.
Good luck to both teams.
Here we go with the first question of the evening.
What classic Doctor Seuss book begins?
The sun did not shine.
It was too wet to play.
So we sat in the house.
All that cold, cold, wet day.
Holyoke.
>> The Cat in the hat.
>> Yes.
>> That's correct.
Grab your pens for this one.
If a $6 item is offered at a 60% discount, how much will you pay for that item?
Smith.
>> $3.60.
>> I'm sorry.
That is incorrect.
All right.
Holyoke high School, that gives you the chance to answer the question.
Uh, $282.40 is the right answer there.
Let's try this one.
Released in 2015, this video game consists of recruiting a team of steam driven robots, boarding enemy spaceships to take down rivaling robot factions, and collecting hats along the way.
Name the game.
Smith.
>> Warframe.
>> I'm sorry.
That is incorrect.
Right?
Holyoke.
Once again, that gives you the chance to answer.
>> Uh, the Apollo's creed.
>> Time is up.
Correct answer is Steamworld heist.
All right, let's move on.
Hypothermia is caused by extremely cold temperatures.
What is hypothermia is opposite.
Caused by extremely hot temperatures.
Smith Academy.
>> Hypothermia?
>> Yes, hypothermia is correct.
On February 13th, 1980, the Winter Olympics opened at Lake Placid, in what U.S. state?
>> Holyoke, New York.
>> New York is correct.
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of what body parts?
Smith.
>> The foot.
>> Yes.
That's correct.
The United States Supreme Court has one chief justice.
And how many associate justices?
Smith Academy eight.
Eight is correct.
Grab your pens once again.
If a single ticket to a movie costs $8.50, how much will it cost to buy tickets for eight people?
Smith Academy.
I'm sorry.
Time is up.
All right.
Holyoke.
That gives you the chance to answer 68.
68.
Yes, that is correct.
Complete the following relationship.
Pierre is to South Dakota as what capital city is to the state of Alaska?
>> Holyoke junior or Juno?
>> Juno?
Yes.
That's correct.
In the online world, a blog spelled blog is an informational site consisting of discrete, often informal diary style text post.
What two words is the acronym blog derived from?
Correct answer.
Weblog.
Let's move on.
A person who concentrates on spiritual things as a form of private devotion is said to be contemplative.
Spell the word contemplative.
>> Smith c o n t e p l a t I v e. >> Yes.
That's correct.
Nice job.
The name Mesopotamia comes from the Greek meaning land between rivers named the two great rivers of Mesopotamia.
Smith Academy.
>> Tigris and Euphrates.
>> Yes.
That's right.
In Greek mythology, Artemis is, among other things, the goddess.
Of which of the following.
Is it agriculture?
Hunting or medicine?
Holyoke.
>> Hunting.
>> Hunting?
Yes.
That's right.
On the periodic table, what element is is designated with the letters T, T.I.
Smith Academy.
>> Titanium.
>> Titanium is correct.
27 of the 28 moons of this planet in our solar system are named after characters that appear in, or are mentioned in the plays of William Shakespeare.
Named the planet.
>> Holyoak said.
>> I'm sorry, that is incorrect.
Smith Academy that gives you the chance to answer the question.
>> Neptune.
>> Uranus is the right answer there.
All right, pick up those pens once again.
What is the measure of the third angle of a triangle?
If one angle measures 65 degrees, the other 60 degrees.
Smith Academy.
>> 55?
>> Yes, that is correct.
The Carpathian mountain range can be found.
In which continent?
Holyoke.
>> Asia.
>> I'm sorry.
That is incorrect.
Smith Academy, can you answer the question?
>> Africa.
>> Europe is the right answer.
There.
Let's try this.
Tulane University can be found in what?
U.S. state?
Smith Academy.
>> Louisiana.
>> Yes, that is correct.
A lemming spelled l e m I n g is a type of.
What is it?
Holyoke.
>> Meerkat.
>> Repeat, please.
>> Meerkat.
>> I'm sorry.
That is incorrect.
Let me finish the question.
It's a type of what is it, a fish, a rodent or a flower?
All right, Smith Academy, can you answer the question?
>> Rodent.
>> Rodent?
Yes.
That is what we were looking for.
All right.
If you travel due east from Pierre, South Dakota, what is the first state border that you'll cross?
>> Holyoke, Montana.
>> I'm sorry, that is incorrect.
Smith Academy, can you answer?
>> Minnesota.
>> Just under the buzzer.
Yes, Minnesota is correct.
And that marks the end of our challenge round.
Let's take a minute now to meet the team from Smith Academy.
>> Hi I'm McKenzie Gaudet from Westfield State University.
We asked the team from Smith Academy if you could have any fictional character as your best friend, who would it be and why?
>> I'd probably pick Yoda from Star Wars because he's really smart.
I think he could tell me a lot of meaningful stuff and I can wear him as a backpack.
>> I would pick Gimli from Lord of the rings because he's my favorite character from the franchise, and he's funny and he has a big hammer.
>> I would pick Iron Man because he's smart and has a lot of superpowers and he's sarcastic.
>> I think I'd pick Batman.
>> Because he's rich and he has some cool gadgets I'd like to try out.
>> Let's move on now to the first lightning round of the match.
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, hopefully you'll be able to do well in this round.
All of the answers to the following clues contain the letter sequence b, e somewhere in it, as in the word able.
You have 90s starting right now.
Flat topped furniture where meals are served.
Smith.
>> Table.
>> Table.
Yes.
A name for a small smooth stone.
Holyoak.
>> Pebble.
>> Pebble is correct.
These are the cheaper seats at Fenway Park.
Holyoke.
>> Nosebleeds.
>> Bleachers is the right answer there.
These gases are a group of elements in the periodic table.
Smith.
>> Noble.
>> Noble is correct.
A building for keeping horses.
Holyoke.
>> Stable.
>> Stable is correct.
Something capable of being seen is said to be this.
Smith.
>> Visible.
>> Visible is correct.
Kitchen appliance for making smoothies and shakes.
Holyoke.
Blender.
Yes.
That's right.
A mark that detracts from a perfect appearance.
Holyoke.
>> Blemish.
>> Blemish is correct.
To trip and almost fall while walking.
Holyoke.
Stumble.
Stumble is right.
To look like someone else.
Holyoke.
>> Doppelganger.
>> Resemble is the right answer there.
Rocky debris from a demolished building.
Holyoke.
Rubble.
Rubble is right.
A thin, flat computer with touch screen display.
>> Smith tablet.
>> Tablet is correct.
A question to be solved or answered.
Holyoke.
>> Riddle.
>> Problem is the right answer there.
Insect pollinator of crops and flowers.
Smith.
Bumblebee is the right answer.
What you do when you drop a football while running.
Smith.
>> Fumble.
>> Fumble is correct.
What you are when you lose employment.
Holyoke.
>> Unemployed.
>> Jobless is the right answer there.
However, that bell marks the end of our first lightning round.
We continue now 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.
If they fail to answer that qualifying question correctly, their opponents will have the opportunity to capitalize and get those points at the moment.
Holyoke High School you are behind also means you get the first opportunity to pick a category and a point value.
What's it going to be?
>> Uh, social studies for 15.
>> Social studies for 15.
Here's your qualifying question.
Name the capital of the US state whose most populous city is Burlington.
>> Vermont.
>> Uh.
Montpelier, Vermont.
>> Yes.
That's correct.
Let's move on.
Continuing this game, I'll name a state's most populous city.
You tell me that state's capital city.
These are for five points each.
First, Jacksonville.
>> Tallahassee.
>> Yes.
That's correct.
Try Huntsville.
>> Alabama.
>> Montgomery.
>> Yes.
That's right.
And finally.
Louisville.
>> Kentucky.
Go.
Nashville.
>> Nashville.
>> Frankfurt is the right answer there.
All right, Smith Academy, your turn.
First time of the evening to please pick a category and a point value.
>> Math and science for 30.
>> Math and science for 30.
Here we go with your qualifying question.
Take a look at your screens.
Ichthyology refers to the scientific study of what animal?
>> Dolphin.
>> I'm sorry.
That is incorrect.
Holyoke.
Can you capitalize a fish?
Yes.
Fish is the right answer there.
Let's move on.
More about the scientific study of things for ten points each.
Take a look at your screen.
First up, which term describes the branch of biology that studies reptiles and amphibians?
>> Herpetology.
>> Herpetology.
Yes.
That's correct.
The branch of biology that studies fungi.
>> Mycology.
>> Yes.
That's correct.
And finally, what is the branch of biology that studies birds?
>> Ornithology.
>> Ornithology is correct?
Yes.
Nice job.
All right.
Holyoke, once again, your turn.
>> General knowledge for 30.
>> General knowledge for 30.
Here we go with your qualifying question.
You have picked the Westfield State University entrance exam question.
Answer the qualifier in all the category questions correctly.
Your team wins an additional ten points.
All right.
Good luck.
Take a look at your screens for this.
This is the national flag of the South American country of Guyana.
>> Spell Guyana g u y a n a.
>> Yes.
That's right.
Let's move on.
More with global spelling for ten points each.
Take a look at your screen first.
This is the national flag of the South African country of Mozambique.
>> Spell Mozambique m o z a m b I q u e. >> Yes that's correct.
This is the national flag of the Asian country of Uzbekistan.
>> Spell Uzbekistan u z b e k I s t a n. >> Yes.
That's correct.
All right.
Getting close.
Finally.
Let's try this.
This is the national flag of the Asian country of Malaysia.
>> Spell Malaysia m a l a y s I a.
>> Yes.
Nice job.
Congratulations.
Clean sweep.
Got all the questions answered correctly.
So your team wins an additional ten points.
All right.
Nice job, Smith Academy.
Once again, please pick a category and a point value.
>> Arts and entertainment for 30.
>> Arts and entertainment for 30.
Here we go with your qualifying question.
Portrayed by Robert Downey Jr in a series of films, Tony Stark is a rich and powerful businessman who takes the law into his own hands.
What is his superhero alter ego?
Iron man one of my favorites, yes.
Iron man is correct.
Sticking with superheroes portrayed on film, all named the alter ego.
You tell me the superhero.
This is for ten points each.
First, Steve Rogers, Captain America.
Yes.
That's correct.
Try Doctor Bruce Banner.
>> The Hulk, Incredible hulk.
>> Yes.
That's correct.
And finally, Natasha Romanoff, black widow.
You know your superheroes.
Yes, that is correct.
All right.
Holyoke.
Once again, please pick a category and a point value.
>> Social studies for 30, please.
>> Social studies for 30 to qualify.
Take a look at your screens.
This state's capitol was named for the mythological bird that cyclically dies in flames and then is reborn to rise out of the ashes of its predecessor.
Name the city and the state.
>> Uh.
>> Phoenix, Arizona.
>> Phoenix, Arizona.
Yes.
That's correct.
Let's move on in this category.
Name the following capitals and their states for ten points each.
Take a look at your screen first.
This state's capital city is home to the US Naval Academy.
Name the city and the state.
>> Annapolis, Maryland.
>> Yes.
That's correct.
This state's capital city sits on the east bank of the Missouri River and is named after a colonial French fur trader named the city and the state.
>> Lincoln, Nebraska.
>> Pierre, South Dakota is the right answer there.
All right.
Finally, let's try this one.
This state's capital city was given its name from a poetic term used for the United States, originating from the name of Christopher Columbus, named the city and the state.
>> In South Carolina.
Yes.
Columbus.
>> Charleston, South Carolina.
>> Columbia, South Carolina is the right answer.
Nice job on the other ones, though.
All right.
Smith Academy, once again, please pick a category and a point value.
>> World events for 30.
>> World events for 30 to qualify.
Take a look at your screens once again.
The December 7th, 1941 Japanese attack on this US naval base led the United States into World War Two.
Name this naval base, Pearl Harbor.
Yes.
Pearl Harbor is correct.
As mentioned, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occurred in the year 1941.
All name other events from general history.
You tell me whether that happened?
The event happened before or after the year 1941.
For ten points each.
First, India's spiritual leader, Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated in New Delhi.
>> After.
>> After 1948.
Yes.
George VI is crowned King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions before.
Before 1937.
Yes.
And finally try this.
The founding of the United Nations.
>> After.
>> After 1945.
Very nice job.
Holyoke.
Once again, it's your turn to literature.
>> Arts and entertainment 25.
>> Arts and entertainment for 25.
Take a look at your screens for this one.
This Spanish painter who co-founded the Cubist movement created the self-portrait seen here in 1907.
Was it Pablo Picasso, El Greco or Salvador Dali?
>> Picasso.
>> Pablo Picasso?
>> Yes, Picasso is correct.
We'll show you a self-portrait.
You identify the artist as we move on in this category for ten points each.
Take a look at your screen.
Name this artist Norman Rockwell, famous New England artist.
Yes, that is correct.
Here's the next one.
>> Uh, Vincent van Gogh.
>> Yes, that's correct.
And finally, for five points, how about this one Andy Warhol?
Yes, that's right.
Good job.
All right, Smith Academy once again.
Your turn.
>> General knowledge for 25.
>> General knowledge for 25.
Nobody likes literature this evening.
All right.
To qualify, take a look at your screens.
What is the base ten equivalent of the binary number one followed by six zeros.
>> Ten to the sixth.
>> I'm sorry.
That is incorrect.
Holyoke High School, can you capitalize.
>> Ten to the fifth?
>> 64 is the right answer there.
Holyoke High School, once again, please pick a category and a point value.
>> Social studies for 25.
>> Social studies for 25.
Your qualifying question occupying approximately 1/14 of the entire land area on Earth.
This country comprises 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, four municipalities and two special administrative regions.
Name this country.
>> Russia.
>> Russia.
>> I'm sorry.
That is incorrect.
Smith Academy, can you capitalize Canada?
Correct answer is China.
Let's move on with Smith Academy once again.
Your turn.
>> World events 25.
>> World events for 25.
Qualifying question.
The defibrillator is an electronic device that applies an electric shock to restore the rhythm of a fibrillating heart.
It was invented by William Cowenhoven, an electrical engineer at Johns Hopkins University.
In what century was the defibrillator invented?
Was it the 19th, 20th, or 21st century?
>> 19th.
>> I'm sorry.
Time is up.
Holyoke High school.
Can you capitalize.
>> 20th?
>> Yes.
That's correct.
Moving on.
More historical events.
I'll name an event.
You tell me if it occurred during the 20th century by answering yes or no.
For five points each.
First, the reign of King George the Fifth in the United Kingdom.
>> Yes.
>> Yes, that is correct.
The XYZ affair.
>> No.
>> No is correct.
And the completion of the Panama Canal.
>> Yes.
>> Yes is correct.
Try the construction and opening of the Erie Canal.
>> No.
>> No is correct.
And finally, how about that Teapot Dome scandal?
>> No.
>> Correct answer is yes.
1921 to 1922.
All right, Holyoke High School once again.
Your turn.
>> Okay, okay.
>> World events for 20.
>> World events for 20.
Here's your qualifying question.
What American Revolutionary War hero is quoted as saying, I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.
>> It's the beer guy.
It's the beer.
>> Guy.
John Adams.
>> I'm sorry.
That is incorrect.
Smith Academy, can you capitalize Paul Revere?
Nathan Hale is the right answer there.
And that marks the end of our capitalization round.
Let's take a moment now to meet the team from Holyoke High School.
>> Hi, I'm Mackenzie Gaudet from Westfield State University.
We asked the team from Holyoke High, would you rather have a rewind button or a pause button for life?
And why?
>> I would rather.
>> Have.
>> A rewind button.
That way when I make a mistake, I can go back and correct it.
And I would never lose a match with this competition.
>> I would have to pick a rewind button because in case I get a question wrong in Matchwits, I can get it right again.
Also, I wouldn't trust myself with a pause button.
So yeah, that's why I would pick a rewind button.
>> I would have a pause button just so I can take moments in, and also get more time on answering my matchwits questions.
>> I'd rather have a pause button so that I can relish in our match with victory more.
>> We have a close match going on right now, so let's move on to the final lightning round of the evening.
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.
Answer incorrectly.
Your team loses five points.
Well, this will be the round of three.
All.
Name three examples of something.
You tell me what common category they belong to.
You have 90s starting right now.
Clovehitch double loop.
Gordian.
Holyoke.
>> Knots.
>> Yes.
That's correct.
Stratus.
Cumulus.
Nimbus.
>> Clouds.
>> Clouds is correct.
Fescue.
Rye.
Kentucky blue Holyoke bread grasses is the right answer there.
Schooner.
Sloop and brigantine.
Smith.
Boats.
Yes.
That's correct.
Braeburn.
Cortland.
Fuji Smith.
>> Apples.
>> Apples is right.
Howler tamarin.
Marmoset.
Monkey.
Monkey is correct.
Olive.
Peanut.
Castor.
Smith.
Bean oils is the right answer.
Folding rocking recliner.
>> Smith chairs.
>> Chairs is correct.
Celery.
Dill.
Mint.
Holyoke.
>> Pickles.
>> Herbs is the right answer.
Scooby doo Brian.
Griffin.
Snoopy.
Holyoke.
>> Dogs.
>> Dogs is correct.
Chanterelle.
Truffle.
Shiitake.
Smith.
>> Mushrooms.
>> Yes.
That's correct.
Maine 42nd wall Holyoke.
Streets.
Yes.
That's correct.
Rio Grande Zambezi river rivers is right.
Carmen Sandiego, Sherlock Holmes.
Nancy Drew, Holyoke.
>> Detectives.
>> Yes, detectives is correct.
Palomino.
Appaloosa.
Pinto.
Smith.
>> Horses.
>> Yes.
That's right.
Dogwood.
Willow.
Cypress.
Smith.
>> Trees.
>> Trees is correct.
Niacin B12.
Calcium.
Smith.
>> Vitamins.
>> Yes.
That's right.
Rubella.
Pertussis.
Meningitis Holyoke.
>> Disease.
>> Disease is correct.
Tricorne.
Fez Panama.
Smith.
>> Hats.
>> Hats is right.
Oboe.
Bassoon.
Clarinet.
Reed.
Wind is the right answer.
However, that bell marks the end of our last lightning round.
It also marks the end of a very close match.
What a fun and competitive game we had tonight.
Both teams.
Such a great job.
Have to say that Holyoke was down 60 points before going into that capitalization round.
Tonight Holyoke is the winner.
So congratulations to you on a job well done Smith Academy.
Great job today.
Just a fun matchup to see the season's roster.
And for more information, be sure to log on to our webpage at npr.org.
Or you can look for us on Facebook and Instagram.
I'm your host, Beth Ward.
Good night, and be sure to tune in again next time.
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.
>> To excel is to recognize that you want to continue to grow and transform and evolve into a better person.
Westfield State is a fit for me because it's a campus that's big enough to host a community in which I can get to know different kinds of people.
>> The impact I want to leave at Westfield State is to be a leader, to get involved.
Each person has their own excellence.
>> Hold on.
Drop this beat.
Like.
Drop like that.
>> Do you want to see when your school's match is scheduled?
Want to know who the past ASM champions are?
Have a question you'd like to see us ask?
Then log on to the As Schools Match Wits web page at npr.org.
You can see this season's roster, a listing of past ASM champions and even submit a Question of your own, which may be used in a future episode.
It's all just a mouse click away.
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