In just a few weeks, area high school students will converge on Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) for the annual Interscholastic Contest.
Developed in the early 1980s by university administrators, faculty and staff, the day-long event gives students the opportunity to test their knowledge in a variety of academic disciplines ranging from agriculture, science and math to speech, history and English.
“The Interscholastic Contest is one of the premier events hosted by our campus for area high school students,” MSU-WP Chancellor Dennis Lancaster said. “As a learning-centered institution, this event epitomizes what we do every day for our students to help them achieve their personal educational goals.”
How the contest works
Students compete as part of teams representing their respective high schools. The participating teams are divided into divisions based on school size. First-, second- and third-place teams are announced in each division. The overall competition winner is determined by a point system based on student scores irrespective of division.
“I coordinated this event for several years, and I can tell you the academic skills and knowledge displayed at the Interscholastic Contest impressed me year in and year out,” Lancaster added. “I’m thrilled that we can offer this competitive opportunity to our area high school students again.”
This year’s contest, the 37th held by the university, will take place April 5. Members of MSU-WP’s Public Affairs Committee are coordinating the event to ensure its success by bringing together more individuals across campus to assist with its planning, according to Ana Estrella, assistant professor of biology/biomedical sciences and committee chair.
“Our mission is to make the event one of the most, if not the most, important academic competitions in the region; therefore, teamwork is critical to coordinate effectively prior to, during and post event,” Estrella explained.
In addition to Estrella, committee members assisting with the contest’s planning include:
- Nursing Instructor Jessica Banning
- Assistant Professor of Nursing Lindsay Hill
- Health Information Technology Instructor Carla Neff
- Darr Honors Program Director Alex Pinnon
- Assistant Professor of Accounting Dasha Russell
- Writing Specialist/Testing Coordinator Alexandra Graham
- Associate Professor of Business David White
- Assistant Professor of Computer Graphics and Programming Jacob Poulette
- Director of Student Life and Development Luke Hurtt
- IT Services representatives C.J. Collins, Biff Bird, Mike Scheidt and Dan Wilson
This year’s contest plans
Banning and White said the academic competitions will be divided into two sessions, at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. In addition to the 18 academic disciplines that made up the Interscholastic Contest last year, this year’s event will include poetry, they added.
In between their tests, students can learn more about MSU-WP and its academic and program offerings from various booths and activities that will be taking place that same day in the Lybyer Technology Center and the Carol Silvey Student Union at Hass-Darr Hall. This includes Grizzly eSports program, Student Government Association and many other student organizations.
“We would like our guests to have a taste of our campus community, so we are planning on having a barbecue and activities around campus before the award ceremony. That will allow the high school students to interact with current students, staff and faculty and truly get a feel for what our campus community can offer them,” they said.
“We don’t want our guests to just show up for a competition and leave. We want them to have the opportunity to network and to learn about our campus and what we offer here,” they added.
Interact with our social media
Students also will have the opportunity to interact with the university’s social media accounts. They’re encouraged to post photos of themselves at the event using the #MSUWPInterscholasticContest hashtag on their social media accounts and tagging the university.
“We truly believe academics must be celebrated, and this is our way to do it,” committee members said. “The Interscholastic Contest does not just provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their academic capacities, it also allows them to develop collaborative skills and connect with new people while having fun. We are looking forward to seeing the 2024 Interscholastic Contest participants on April 5!”
For more information about the contest and how to participate, contact Estrella at AnaEstrellaRiollano@MissouriState.edu or 417-255-7710; Jessica Banning at JessicaBarton@MissouriState.edu or 417-255-7254; or the MSU-WP Interscholastic Committee at WPISC@MissouriState.edu.