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Early one morning in the summer of 1948, two Scott Paper executives, members of the newly formed public relations department, met to create a high school radio quiz program that would represent a constructive contribution to the youth of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, the base of Scott Paper Company operations. Through negotiations with Chester radio station WPWA, Scott’s Hi-Q was born. A young man by the name of Robert O. Johnson was selected as announcer and quizmaster for the program. Bob had experience hosting similar quiz programs. The questions were researched and originated by Bob. The name Hi-Q was also his idea. The “Hi” for high school; the “Q” for I.Q. In the first season, 20 schools with teams of four students competed. A series of weekly contests, between two teams at a time, resulted in the selection of five finalist teams. The questions in that first year were all based on the current issue of Newsweek magazine. October 13, 1948 was the date of the first Scott’s Hi-Q competition. The first “history making” contest was between Sharon Hill and Marple Newtown High Schools. Sharon Hill won that first contest that was tape recorded and broadcast over radio station WPWA the following Sunday. In the spring of 1949, the first Hi-Q champion emerged as Media, Swarthmore, Collingdale, Glen-Nor, and Haverford high schools vied for the championship. Media was the winner and each team member received gold engraved watches and the school won the grand prize, an auditorium size television set. Prizes for runner up teams included leather wallets and tape recorders for their schools. Hi-Q’s first season as a Current Events Quiz, proved to be not very exciting, so a format change was introduced. From 1949 until 1954, contest material was presented in the form of a fictitious story, containing a total of 20 errors. Students identified the error for one point, and corrected it for a second. The quiz was designed to test a general knowledge of history, geography, current events, literature, biography, science, and government. By 1954 it was decided to change the format using direct questions and a new scoring system. Minor changes in 1962 led to a similar format that is used today. Eventually the radio broadcasts were cancelled as it became increasingly evident that Hi-Q was, and should be, an in-school activity as much a part of school as its classes, athletic programs, drama clubs, musical groups and all the other elements that make-up the full high school experience. The program became increasingly popular over the years and in the 1970’s Donna Zerby, manager of Hi-Q and special projects, led the initiative to expand Hi-Q to other parts of the country. Donna had been involved with the program since 1962 and had the experience and passion to expand Hi-Q. The program was expanded and sponsored by Scott plants in Wisconsin, Alabama, Maine, Washington, and Arkansas. A national championship was even created during this time. Donna continued producing the program as the national director through the 1990’s and continued as Delco Hi-Q director until her death in 2005. In the mid 1990’s the business community through the Delaware County Education Foundation began supporting Delco Hi-Q. Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) and the Foundation of The Delaware County Chamber became co-sponsors of Delco Hi-Q. Today, Delco Hi-Q continues as a partnership between the education and business communities. DCIU now partners with Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union to produce the program. Hi-Q is not only alive in Delaware County, but competitions are still held in Alabama, Wisconsin and Washington State. Over 60 seasons, sponsors have changed, schools have changed, and the format has changed but the founding principles of the program have remained, a “program that stimulates young minds and a constructive contribution to the youth of Delaware County, Pennsylvania.” |
