The Fort Zumwalt North Scholar-Quiz team recently competed in the MSHSAA State Championships held on the campus of the University of Missouri. The Panthers or “Turtles”, the moniker used by the scholar-bowl team at FZN, finished in 4th place to earn one of the four trophies awarded to by the Missouri Activities Association. The 4th place finish represents the highest finish ever by a North High squad and caps off a year that saw the “Turtles” complete a 57 – 6 overall record. A record that included being undefeated in St. Charles County league play. In addition, the team won their third consecutive district title and first ever sectional title. The sectional victory ensured their participation at the State Tournament. The team, coached by FZN teacher Laura Gianini, was led by a group of seniors: Emily Sigmund, Lorraine Linson and Caleb Fick a trio referred to by Coach Gianini as, "The Big 3". Fick was crowned as the event’s individual champion marking another first for North High. Coach Gianini went on to say, in regards to her highly touted senior trio, “Their team chemistry, overall knowledge, and buzzer skills have resulted in a dominating team. Lorraine and Caleb have individual medals from every tournament this year, including Caleb’s first place finish at State. These three have made it a priority to make it to State as this was their last year to compete for FZN.”
Other team members that participated at State included: Andrea Farazza, Sierra Burton, Andrew Smith, Connor Hunt and Mathew Bessette