By Andrea Genovese Soares (September 15, 2002)

Senior Dan Bray and juniors Evan Cunningham, Rahul Gupta, and the first alternate Kaitlin Bottock left Channel 4 Studios as winners Saturday in the opening of the "It’s Academic" competition.

After answering the first question correctly, the Mustangs were off to lead for the rest of the match, scoring 430 points against Brentsville’s 270 and Westfield’s 320. Show host Mac McGarry threw a wide range of questions at the competitors that dealt with everything from cotton to mermaids.

McGarry also congratulated Westfield for its second place, finish, as it was the school’s first time competing in "It’s Academic." Brentsville, on the other hand, had lost to GMHS last year by only 60 points, yet this year they lost by 160. 

When asked how he thought his team did, sponsor Jaime Scharff responded, "Considering that we had to play so early in the season, they delivered well, because we’ve only been practicing for a couple of weeks, but fortunately, we have a veteran team, so I think that gave us the edge in the game."

The George Mason High School Band, conducted by Mary Jo Webster, marked its presence along with a handful of teachers, parents, and students who, with signs, clappers, and a lot of spirit, cheered loudly for their team.

You will be able to see this match on Channel 4, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 5^th.

George Mason's victorious "It's Academic" team beat competitors Brentsville and Westfields High Schools Saturday at the NBC Studios.  The team of Evan Cunningham (left) captain Dan Bray (center) and Rahul Gupta scored 430 points.  Here they pose with club sponsor Jamie Scharff and assistant principal Dr. Monika Bilby. (Photo by Andrea Genovese Soares)

Postscript: This reporter wonders what Mason’s "It’s Academic" team members will become. According to the NBC4 News Channel web site, for example, U.S. senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chuck Schumer, along with political commentator George Stephanopoulos were on their schools’ "It’s Academic" teams. Movie star Sandra Bullock was on the cheerleading squad that came to the NBC4 studio to root for Arlington’s Washington and Lee High School.