La Plata, Md. — La Plata High School captured first place for the third year running in the Charles County Public Schools “It’s Academic” competition on Nov. 5, 2025, rallying from last place in the final rounds to defeat St. Charles High School in a tiebreaker at the host venue. The quiz show-style event, which tests high school teams on subjects ranging from history and science to literature and current events, drew squads from all seven CCPS high schools before a live audience.
The La Plata Warriors, captained by senior Christopher Burtch with juniors Sofia Myers and Dylan Shafer, tallied 270 points to claim the county title. “La Plata truly came from behind,” said Chrissy Trest, CCPS instructional specialist for gifted education. “They were in last place until Round 3 of the final game, where they tied the score and pushed into the tie-breaker rounds.” Trest called the matchup a nailbiter, as La Plata and St. Charles finished regulation tied, prompting two overtime questions. Neither team answered the first correctly, but the Warriors nailed the second to secure victory.
St. Charles High School finished second with 260 points, earning a slot in a regional “It’s Academic” taping set for early fall 2026. The team’s seniors Landen Hanan, captain; Benjamin Francis Dela Cruz; and Ibrahim Osman led the effort. Westlake High School took third at 250 points, represented by seniors Naomi Hudson, captain; Om Mistry; and Christopher Chubbs Jr.
The top finish sends La Plata to a regional contest on Nov. 15, 2025, against two other metropolitan-area teams, with the episode slated to air April 18, 2026, on WETA PBS. The Greater Waldorf Jaycees funded scholarships for participants, awarding $500 to the first-place team and $250 apiece to the other six squads. Each CCPS high school fields a team coached by staff members, fostering skills in quick recall, collaboration and poise under pressure.
La Plata’s full roster includes alternates and reserves: senior Leah Hill; sophomores Favor Ayodele and Marcellus White; and freshman Evan An. Social studies teacher Matthew Panzarella coaches the group. Henry E. Lackey High School’s entrants featured seniors Wilmer “Josue” Sierra-Castellon, captain; Joseph Lancaster Jr.; and Donovan Smith, plus senior alternate Jonathan Lancaster, senior Madison McCormick and freshman Michael Johnson, under social studies teacher James Hojnowski.
Maurice J. McDonough High School sent seniors Cori Avent, captain; William Benjamin; and Alexa Byrd, with senior alternate Cynclair Wilson, senior Alyamama Elashwell, sophomore Riley Mulliken and sophomore Jazlyn Wilson, coached by media specialist Joanna Hobbs and CASE teacher Mary Dempsey. North Point High School’s lineup comprised senior captain Zahria Standley, senior Mabel Brantuo and sophomore Aislin Voyles, alongside senior alternate Renata Ashton; seniors Eric Chen, Ariana Josiah, Mary Elaine Balancio and John Gibbs; juniors Shiloh Sescoe and Louel Alan Maman; and freshmen Isabelle Aguilar and Londyn McFadden. World language teacher Moriah Rochlinski-Evans and English teacher A’leese Dickerson guide the team.
St. Charles’ extended members are senior alternate David Benton; senior Kavon Washington; and juniors Clyde Agustin, Aiden Williams, Ethan Omo, Silas Fadare and Derek Smith, coached by social studies teachers Michael Colatruglio and Matthew Howard. Thomas Stone High School competed with seniors Kennadi Sanders, captain; Christopher Hill; and Blake Testerman, joined by seniors Juliet Brown, Deyanna Gonzalez, Dayona Moore, Deashia Freeman, Julia Zsofia Taboga, Mya Curry, Amahyree Wells, Ichane Karantassi and Frank Rodriguez; junior alternate Maria Nazir, juniors Christopher Benitez Masariegos and Amaya Ford; and freshman Arooj Nazir. Social studies teachers Melissa Hatch and Renee Hopper coach them. Westlake rounds out the field with senior alternate Lema Barkzai; seniors Avelina Londres, Madeline Londres, Nosazewen Otokiti, Keerat Pannu and Bianca Lepe, led by social studies teacher Natalie Finch-Howard.
“It’s Academic,” a staple of D.C.-area education since 1961, originated as a WRC-TV production created by Sophie Altman to spotlight student intellect amid the Space Race era’s emphasis on STEM and humanities. The Guinness World Records recognizes it as the longest-running high school quiz show, now in its 65th season and broadcast on WETA PBS since 2022. Episodes air Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on WETA PBS and WETA Metro, with encores Sundays at 4 p.m. on WETA Metro and Mondays at 3 p.m. on WETA PBS and 7 p.m. on WETA Metro. Hosted by Emmy winner Hillary Howard and produced by Altman Productions with DMR Productions, the format pits three-student teams in rapid-fire rounds: 30-second toss-ups, 60-second team bonuses and final Jeopardy-style wagers.
As La Plata prepares for regionals, the county’s academic scene continues to thrive, bolstered by state investments in educator training and equity programs. CCPS Superintendent Maria V. Navarro has highlighted such competitions as key to preparing students for global challenges, ensuring Southern Maryland’s youth compete on equal footing with metro peers.
