SENATE RESOLUTION 41

(By Senators Nelson, Takubo, Stollings, and Lindsay)

[Introduced April 6, 2021]

Congratulating the George Washington High School History Bowl team for finishing in fourth place of the 2020 National History Bowl Varsity Championships.

Whereas, Academic events provide students the opportunity to gain confidence, make new friends, strengthen long-term memory knowledge, help with university admission, and ignite a passion for life-long learning; and

Whereas, West Virginia’s students can, and do, compete successfully in state, regional, and national academic competitions; and

Whereas, The George Washington High School History Bowl team consists of students committed to reading and learning about world and United States history; and

Whereas, The COVID-19 pandemic eliminated many opportunities for in-person competition in all fields of interscholastic competition in 2020 and delayed the spring national championship for eight months; and

Whereas, The George Washington High School History Bowl team maintained a winning spirit, dedication, and resolve to compete virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic; and

Whereas, The George Washington High School History Bowl team, consisting of: University of Chicago freshman Walker Combs; University of Indiana freshman Ben Woods; George Washington High School seniors Adam Keith and John Ward; and junior Reese Mason, were reunited in December 2020 to compete in a COVID-19 delayed National History Bowl Varsity Championship; and

Whereas, The George Washington High School History Bowl team demonstrated serious competitiveness on a national stage to defeat public and private school teams from Boston to Silicon Valley, and advance to the final four, after winning 13 rounds in two days at the virtual academic event; and

Whereas, The George Washington High School History Bowl team lost by one question in a close final four match to Adlai Stevenson High School from Chicago, Illinois; and   

Whereas, The George Washington High School History Bowl team placed fourth in the nation, which ties their previous year’s success and remains the best finish by any George Washington High School team in the history of the national competition hosted by International Academic Competitions; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby congratulates the George Washington High School History Bowl team for finishing in fourth place of the 2020 National History Bowl Varsity Championships; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the George Washington High School History Bowl team.