Alex Trebek Guest Stars at 2005 Delco Hi-Q Annual Dinner
Alex Trebek, host of TV’s popular "Jeopardy!" quiz show, sat down to dinner with Delaware County high school students the night of May 19th at the Drexelbrook Corporate Events Center. The special guest speaker at the inaugural "Partners in Education" dinner that honored all 210 student team members of the 2005 Delco Hi-Q season ate his salad with the third-place Garnet Valley team. He had his main course with Strath Haven’s championship team and chatted with them about their college plans.

Then he moved to the Penncrest table to have his dessert with members of its team, which finished second in this year’s competition.

"It’s wonderful to have him here," said senior Penncrest captain Joe Walker, who noted the dinner was a wonderful way to end his third and final year of Hi-Q.

Garnet Valley sophomore Jeff Conway said it was a pleasure to talk with "someone who understands academic competition."

Said Ellen Donnelly of the championship Strath Haven team, "It’s an honor to have such a celebrity share our special evening with us."

Introduced by another TV celebrity -- ABC-6 anchor/newscaster Rick Williams, who served as master of ceremonies -- Trebek said he was "delighted to be here to celebrate Hi-Q.

"In an informal talk peppered with humor, he recalled that early in his broadcasting career in Canada, he hosted a high school quiz show called "Reach for the Top."

‘‘I discovered then how sharp high school kids can be," he said.

Trebek noted that in hosting "Jeopardy!" for the past 21 years, he’s met a lot of bright people. All things being equal, he said, bright people will succeed more than they will fail. And this could be a problem, he said, because it’s important to know how not to win. Losing offers lessons in life and about one’s self.

His advice to young people? Develop a sense of perspective and a sense of humor, learn patience and be flexible. Take good thoughts and put them into action.

‘‘And trust in luck. It will play an important part in your life," said Trebek before going down into the large audience to take questions from the students.

Along with honoring all 210 students who took part in this year’s academic quiz competition among 21 public, parochial and private high schools, the dinner recognized the first All Delco Hi-Q Team. Awards to team members -- one student from each of 21 participating teams who was chosen by his or her team’s faculty adviser -- were made by Daily Times Editor Phil Heron and dinner chairman John Unangst, president/CEO of the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (FMFCU).

Heron noted the dinner was the fulfillment of a long-standing desire to give academics the same recognition as athletics. It was presented by the Foundation of the Delaware County Chamber and the Delaware County Intermediate Unit. Its main sponsor was FMFCU, which also was one of two primary corporate sponsors of the 2005 Delco Hi-Q season.

Cash awards and plaques were given to the three top-scoring teams. Strath Haven team received $1,000 and a trophy to display for a year. For placing second, Penncrest was awarded $750, and Garnet Valley $500.

The awards were presented by Rick Durante, FMFCU director of education, and Ruth Malloy of Kimberly-Clark Chester Operations, the other primary Delco Hi-Q sponsor. In addition, Delco Hi-Q Director Donna Zerby, a Media native who’s been closely associated with Hi-Q in Delaware County for 43 years, was honored as the first inductee into the newly created Delco Hi-Q Wall of Honor.

The award was presented by Harry Jamison, executive director of the county I.U., who noted there would be no Hi-Q without the honoree.

The longest-running academic quiz contest in the nation, Hi-Q was founded in Delaware County in 1948 and has expanded to several states.

"After 57 years, Delco Hi-Q needs to be recognized like this every year," said Unangst, a board member of the foundation. "In the future, we hope to attract a quality, education-oriented dinner speaker who has an interest in students -- but the focus will always be on the students."

-- Courtesy of the Delaware County Daily Times, Bette Alburger, Correspondent

©The Daily Times 2005