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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, December 4, 2009 · 28 Students benefit as they Reach for the Top By Aryan Eftekhari GRADE 12, T. A. BLAKELOCK F or most of my high school career, I've been reaching for the top; for three years now, I've been in T.A Blakelock's Reach for the Top program. For those readers who have no idea what it is, Reach is essentially a general knowledge trivia game that is enjoyable, incredibly challenging and intellectually stimulating. Our Blakelock teams are guided by Mr. Ebbers and Mr. Petz. Reach is played by most schools throughout Halton, and each school competes at the junior (Grade 9 and 10) and senior (Grade 11 and 12) levels. Reach dates back to more than 30 years ago as a TV show modelled after the British version of the show. In 1968, it also developed into an experimental international tournament called Trans-world Top Team hosted by Alex Trebek and Geoffrey Wheeler. In 1984, came the interschool version called Schoolreach. Schoolreach consists of two teams going head to head for three rounds answering a variety of questions from varying difficulty on any possible subject, something from sports figures to scientifically naming a certain bacteria. Now why join Schoolreach? What is the benefit? Well, quite frankly, Reach is European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" 905.849.0266 Spend a Little for Something Big! there's something for everyone on your list. · Toronto Maple Leaf Tickets · Spa & Beauty Packages · Nitendo DSi · Gift Certificates On-Line Auction BIDDING STARTS: Tuesday Dec. 1st at 9:00 am BIDDING CLOSES: Sunday Dec. 6th at 9:00 pm AND LOTS MORE!! 100% of the proceeds go towards Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton programs Your Holiday Shopping is Just One Click Away! VISIT: www.bbbshalton.ca United Wa ay Member Agency y very beneficial to the developing teenager. It provides youths with a perfect opportunity to test their general knowledge on just about anything. It provides confidence due to the fact that there are winners and losers; you have to have some faith or sense of certainty in your answer in order to help your team. This confidence in your knowledge and your answer has an immediate effect on tests or exams you take in high school; it helps individuals get over their fear of giving a wrong answer or even simply giving an answer. In a sense, it is also a quest to succeed or for knowledge because in our modern day, so many things become obsolete that we as individuals must stay current on new technologies, new methods. Our knowledge needs to be constantly updated in order for us to remain competitive. Reach also develops teamwork and trust because you have to learn to rely on your teammates to know some answers because no matter how smart a person is, nobody has all the answers. Other reasons to join Reach are the competition and fun. It is a great environment and competitive, as schools that make it to provincial finals, have their game broadcast on national television by TVO. It also is amazing to see the variety of questions asked and to see just how infinitesimal your general knowledge really is. This is the one and only competitive platform for those trivia buffs out there; it is the greatest challenge for the trivia buffs at your school. Lastly, Reach provides youths with important life skills that go way beyond Reach -- and did I mention there are buzzers? So, for those of you curious or interested, go to Schoolreach and try it out. What's the harm?