Introduction

The High School Local History Smackdown is a fast-paced competition that provides local students with an opportunity to have fun with local history. The competition is part of the Fourth Thursday in History program, coordinated by Keweenaw National Historical Park. The competition includes questions about the history and geography of all four counties: Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon.

Format

According to National Park Service webpage, the format for the event is much like that of a spelling or geography bee. During the event, a team will be called and given a random question on local history. All questions will have a short-answer format. Teams will have 15 seconds to confer, after which one member from the team will give the team's answer. Teams have the opportunity to pass on one question during the competition. If the team elects to pass the question they will then immediately receive the next question. If the answer is correct, the team returns to their seats and awaits its next turn. The contest features a double-elimination format; two wrong answers and a team is eliminated from play. Judges knowledgeable on local history matters will provide final decisions on acceptable answers.

Team Make-Up

Teams are made up of four contestants and and a coach. Mrs. Cathy Hill is the DB-TC coach. Practices are held each year before the event takes place. Depending on interest, we typically have more than one team compete. The Smackdown is open to students attending any public or private high school in the four-county area. In addition, contestants are welcome to form their own teams independent of school sponsorship. Home-schoolers, church groups, scouts or other youth organizations are also welcome to participate.

The Venue

The Smackdown is held at the Finnish American Heritage Center, a Keweenaw National Historical Park Heritage Site, located at 435 Quincy Street, Hancock, MI.