News Release

Dollar Bay High School Wins the 16th Annual High School Local History Smackdown

Date: April 27, 2018
Contact: Kathleen Harter, [phone]

The Smackdown Trophy returns to Dollar Bay High School: the Minettes & Miner have won the 16^th annual High School Local History Smackdown!

Bobbi Jo Caskey, Korey Ericson, Kayla Hakala, Hayley Mattfolk, and coach Cathy Hill defended their team’s title from the Calumet Theatre stage by defeating Ontonagon’s Nonesuch Know-It-Alls, who came in second. The Know-It-Alls (Rory Labine, James Domitrovich, Henry Menigoz, and Bradley Myhren) proved worthy of their name, however, revealing their extensive knowledge of Copper Country history. Dollar Bay rounded out the top three with the Rockers, who placed third; Torri Haapal, Amanda Marcotte, Dwayne Randell, and Jasmine VanNorman were also coached by Hill.
 
Keweenaw National Historical Park’s Kathleen Harter and Advisory Commission chair Bob Langseth were thrilled to congratulate the winners and all the competitors for their hard work and impressive knowledge of local history. Prizes ranged from water bottles and pizza parties to trips to the Keweenaw Heritage Site of their choice. The Minettes & Miner, in addition to taking home these prizes – and the Smackdown trophy – also received a $1000 scholarship, shared equally between the team.

The Smackdown is a fast-paced competition for high school students, who field short answer questions posed by the Quizmaster – some based on historic and contemporary photos of places, topics, and events in Copper Country history. This year, organizers added a multiple choice round to present a new challenge to the teams. Four judges, one from each Copper Country county, evaluate answers; this year Virginia Jamison (Keweenaw), Dean Juntunen (Ontonagon), Emily Riippa (Houghton), and Chris Chosa (Baraga) represented. Teams from Baraga, Calumet, and Chassell also played, and were fierce competition for the eventual winners. 

Designed in consultation with local educators, the goals of the competition are to encourage interest in local history among high-school age students, provide an opportunity for history-minded youth to compete in a specialized event, and provide a fun and entertaining evening for participants and audience members alike. Additional support for the Smackdown was provided by the Isle Royale & Keweenaw Parks Association, Range Bank, River Valley State Bank, Aspirus Keweenaw, Pat’s Foods, and Homestead Graphics.

For further information about the Smackdown, please contact Keweenaw National Historical Park at 906/337-3168, or visit the web at www.nps.gov/kewe.