The national finals of the Kids’ Lit Quiz was took place in West Hartford this week – and local teams finished in first and third place.

National Kids Lit finals were held at Sedgwick Middle School on Jan. 31, 2024. Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton

A team of seventh graders from West Hartford’s Sedgwick Middle School is the winner of the USA National Final of the Kid’s Lit Quiz competition, and will be headed to the International Finals in Australia in July.

The team of Sedgwick students – Roxie Geoghegan, Adelaide Hren, Anna Pax Small, Madeleine Wickersham – was coached by Sara Tamborello and Shannon McNeice, and took first place at the National Finals. The competition challenges the literary knowledge of children ages 10-13 with questions on a wide range of books, authors, and genres.

The students were in familiar territory at the national finals, which were held at Sedgwick on Wednesday. Three teams from Sedgwick, as well as two teams from West Hartford’s King Philip Middle School and two teams from Virginia competed in the finals. One of the King Philip teams took third place, and Cooper Middle School came in second.

King Philip Middle School Kids Lit team. Courtesy photo

In addition to the U.S., teams from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, and Thailand compete in the Kids Lit Quiz and will be represented in at the International Finals.

McNeice the Library Media Specialist at Sedgwick Middle School, said in advance of the finals that Sedgwick was thrilled to host the event. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their literary knowledge and for our community to celebrate the importance of reading. We are excited to welcome the talented participants and their supporters to our school. Especially since West Hartford is so well represented.”

The National Heat was presented by New Zealand KLQ creator Wayne Mills. The winners will need to raise funds for their flight to Australia, but once there expenses are paid for by the Kids Lit Quiz organization, McNeice said.

Sedgwick Middle School Kids Lit team. Courtesy photo

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