Lehighton Area High School emerged as the 2025 Carbon County Academic Bowl champions on Thursday, defeating teams from Weatherly and Jim Thorpe in the final round at Palmerton Area High School.

The annual competition brought together students from across the county to showcase their academic skills in a fast-paced quiz format.

“It feels really amazing,” Lehighton senior Natalie Blair said of the victory. “We have a lot of fun. We practice with each other, we compete periodically, and we just really love doing it. So it feels good to have all our hard work pay off.”

State Rep. Doyle Heffley served as quizmaster for the competition’s final round.

Blair described the preparation that goes into competing in the Academic Bowl.

“We pretty much do kind of mock competitions,” she said. “Our advisors read us questions, and we try to study random knowledge about world history, art history, sports — things like that.”

The Lehighton team consists of students from grades 9-12, though they have no juniors on their roster this year.

“There’s probably about eight kids on our team this year,” Blair said. “I’m extremely proud of us. I feel so thankful to be part of such an amazing team that works hard and always has each other’s backs. I couldn’t be more proud of them, because we really did it all together.”

The Academic Bowl, which had a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now in its second year since being reintroduced.

“There was an event at Weatherly for a long time run by Dr. Katie Leach,” said Alex Knoll, a Palmerton Area High School math teacher and organizer of the event. “Then when COVID happened, the event stopped for, I think, a four-year hiatus. And this is the second year back in its current form.”

Knoll emphasized the importance of bringing students together for an event that highlights academic talent.

“I think it’s so important for our students to be shown not just in an athletic light,” he said. “We have so many talented students throughout the county in arts and academics, and this event is just one of those great events that can showcase our academic talents as a county and a region.”

Students in the competition had to answer questions spanning a wide range of subjects, including world history, art history, science, and sports. Knoll noted that the competition format rewards quick thinking.

“The biggest skill is speed and confidence mixed together,” he said. “There are so many very smart, talented students at all our schools, but it takes a certain level to answer a question quickly and accurately.”

Beyond the competition itself, Blair noted that the event provided an opportunity to connect with students from other schools.

“It’s fantastic, especially to get to see my local friends,” she said. “I know a lot of people from other schools. It’s great to see them and to have some friendly competition between our schools.”

Knoll hopes the Academic Bowl will continue as an annual tradition in Carbon County.

“We definitely hope that this event happens on an annual basis — not necessarily that Palmerton will always host, but we have been very honored and humbled that we’ve been able to host the past couple of years,” he said.

He also credited Palmerton Area High School Principal Paula Husar for her support in ensuring the event’s success.