Hopatcong Students Enjoy TV Experience

Steven Munoz's eyes widened as he walked into the TV studio. The lights. The cameras. He was enamoured.

Munoz wasn't the ony one. His friends Brooke O'Donnell, Michael Sickles, Sarah Indano and Colleen McNamara each were awed as they were treated like TV stars for a day.

And though the seniors lost to Eastern Christian High School on MSG Varsity's "The Challenge" quiz show, Sickles said the experience was unforgettable.

"I'm really glad we got to be there," he said.

O'Donnell agreed.

"As far as the experience, being in a TV studio, that was so cool," she said.

The students, with advisors Heather DelBagno and George Segale watching, were chosen when Principal Emil Binotto picked them out of a hat containing the names of their class' top 10. Last year, Stamatiki Clapsis, Alexandria Rossy, Felicity Meyer, Grace Marchena and Kelcey Brennan also competed on the show, reaching its second round.

The episode aired on Valentine's Day, and each—save for Indano, who said she didn't watch—of the students said it was odd, but entertaining, to see themselves on TV. Fortunately for Indano, Munoz, who served as team captain, said he recorded the show.