Essex
| Essex High School | |
| |
|---|---|
| Location: Essex Junction, Vt. | |
| Coaches | Lea Ann Smith |
| State Championships | Vt.-NEA 1995, 2002 |
| National Championships | None |
| Program Status | Unknown |
| School Size | Unknown |
| NAQT Page | link |
Essex High School is Vermont's largest high school, a public school of about 1,550 students. It serves the Vermont communities of Essex Junction, Essex and Westfield. EHS' quiz bowl team is a member of the Vermont-NEA Scholars' Bowl, competing in the Champlain Region.
State tournament
Essex is a consistent contender in the Vermont Scholars' Bowl and has won the championship twice, in 1995 and 2002. It was the runner-up in the 2007-08 season, losing to Hanover in the final.
The Hornets have also been extremely successful in the regional phase of the tournament, winning their region six times in seven years between 2000 and 2006.
National tournaments
Essex's state championship teams participated in the Panasonic Academic Challenge in 1995 and 2002. Neither made the playoffs but three Hornets -- Jack McClintock (2004), Will Begley (2008) and Brendan Farmer (2008) -- were key parts of Vermont all-star teams that reached the Panasonic semifinals.
Other tournaments
EHS is one of Vermont's more active teams, regularly competing in the Hanover Round Robin and other events run by the Vermont league. Most notably, Essex is the host site for the Sue Pasco Opening Tournament, the Vermont Scholars' Bowl's season-opening event held in September.
Coach
Essex has been coached by Lea Ann Smith since the start of the 2002-03 season. Smith also serves as the treasurer of the Vermont-NEA Scholars' Bowl.
Previously, Sue Pasco served as the Hornets' longtime coach. She guided Essex to its two state championships and died tragically soon after the teams' surprising run to the 2002 title.
Noted Alumni
- Kalen Gangatirkar ('96)
- Jimmy Vanzo ('02)
- Jack McClintock ('04)
- Jeremiah Begley ('07)
- Will Begley ('08)
- Brendan Farmer ('08)