Fair Lawn Quiz Team Accepts, 'The Challenge'

A team of 's most cerebral Cutters will put their collective knowledge to the test Wednesday when they face-off against Chatham High School in the first round of MSG Varsity's quiz show, "The Challenge."

"The Challenge," now in its 15th season, brings together the best and brightest students from 192 high schools across the tri-state area to test their knowledge in a diverse range of subject areas in front of a live studio audience.

“We’re proud to celebrate academics on MSG Varsity through ‘The Challenge’ and to provide these extremely bright students a platform to showcase their talents with their communities,” MSG Varsity’s General Manager Theresa Chillianis said in a press release. “Good luck to all of this year’s teams.”  

Fair Lawn's squad is represented by Thomas Koike, Samantha Wyler (Captain), Alex Rodriguez, Natalie Epstein and Sahaana Uma (Alternate). The team's academic advisor is Liliana Barrett. 

Teams advance through a series of elimination rounds until one team in each region is crowned regional champion, which nets $2,500 for the team's school.

Regional champions then square off in a Tri-State Showdown for a $10,000 grand prize for the school and $500 for each participating student team member.

For the third straight season, "The Challenge," will be hosted by American Idol semi-finalist, Jared Cotter. 

As host, Cotter tests competing teams on their knowledge of history, arts and literature, current events, math, and science.

“Each season I am blown away by the students’ intelligence and their wide array of knowledge in so many diverse categories,” Cotter said in a press release. “I’m really excited to get the season started and to see which teams are going to bring it.”  

A new match-up can been seen every Sunday through Friday at 6:30 pm, on MSG Varsity, Cablevision’s iO TV, Channel 14.   

Fair Lawn's match against Chatham will air on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. on MSG Varsity.