Although the end of the school year is right around the corner, Downey’s QuizBowl team sees no end in sight. Earning their third consecutive gold medal at Skills USA’s State Conference in San Diego on April 23, QuizBowl will continue onto Nationals in Kentucky.

Although the team’s victory boosted them into Skills USA’s top rank, team captains Andrew Bilodeau, 12, and Yanni Ramirez, 12, emphasized the fact that gold was only attainable after months of hard work.

“We had to remember what we did to win regionals without getting cocky,” Bilodeau said. “State is a whole different ballgame, and we wanted to remind each other of that and allow that to serve as our motivation for preparation.”

Additionally, Ramirez uses State Conference as a reference point for what to anticipate in Kentucky:

“I want the team to focus on honing their advantages and what they can bring to the competition,” Ramirez said. “Since we are competing against the best in the nation, I want our team to have any slight advantage.”

In utilizing those advantages at State Conference, QuizBowl climbed the charts and placed first– they competed against thirty other teams from across California.

Ethan Johnson, 12, believed that the team’s preparation for the event alone separated them from the rest of the competition.

“All of our teams went to state ready to win, which I think is the defining factor that makes not only Downey QuizBowl, but Downey Skills USA great,” Johnson said.

Downey’s two additional QuizBowl teams also competed that day, one of which placed third alongside the gold team. Although that team will not attend Nationals in Kentucky, players,such as Emiliano Salomon, 12, continue to show unwavering support for their fellow teammates.

“We worked incredibly hard the whole year and all the hours that we put in are paying off. I know that they will do great in Kentucky,” Salomon said. “This team is bound to win gold there as well.”
The week-long Skills USA Nationals competition will take place June 19-23 in Louisville, Kentucky. For more information on QuizBowl, see Mr. Armendariz in room B-201 or Mrs. Vadgama in room Z-7.