Granite State Challenge
Encyclopedia
Granite State Challenge is an American
television
quizbowl
game show
that airs on New Hampshire Public Television
and began in 1983.
s from around the state compete against each other to win bragging rights and grant money for their school. The first season of the program was hosted by Tom Bergeron
(now of America's Funniest Home Videos
and Dancing with the Stars
fame), one of Bergeron's first jobs appearing on television. Starting in the second season and continuing to today, Jim Jeannotte took over hosting duties. The co-host is Lori Warriner, who interviews the contestants. Prior co-hosts include Tim Estiloz, John Herman, and Alison MacNair (former host of NHPTV's NH Outlook). The competition features 32 teams in a single elimination tournament competing in half-hour shows that are pretaped over a few weeks and air through the broadcast season. The championship game, called the Superchallenge, is a 1-hour show with extended categories and more questions. Since 1995, part of the funding for Granite State Challenge comes from proceeds of the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. Beginning in 2008, each episode is available to view on YouTube
and to download at no charge on iTunes
. There have been many fierce rivalries throughout the years of competition, including Bishop Guertin
and Nashua
(until recently undivided), Alvirne
and Pinkerton
, and Phillips Exeter Academy
and Hollis/Brookline
.
The first quarter is a round of toss-up questions worth 10 points each.
The second quarter uses 10-point toss-ups followed by a choice of three bonus sets. There are three questions in a bonus set, worth 5 points each, and teams may confer on bonuses.
The third quarter is the show's lightning round. The trailing team gets the first choice of three categories, and the leading team picks from the remaining two. Each team gets 60 seconds to answer either 10 questions or (rarely) either one 10-part question such as a "put these in order" question or a series of questions totaling 10 parts. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, with a 10-point bonus for going 10-for-10.
The fourth quarter is a final round of 10-point toss-ups.
The winning team advances in a season-long tournament. In the final, titled "Granite State Super Challenge," there are seven rounds: the first, fifth, and seventh are toss-up rounds, the second and fourth rounds are toss-ups followed by bonuses, and the third and sixth rounds are the 60-second lightning rounds.
Schools with Multiple Titles
Three Titles Apiece
Two Titles Apiece
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
quizbowl
Quizbowl
Quiz bowl is a family of games of questions and answers on all topics of human knowledge that is commonly played by students enrolled in high school or college, although some participants begin in middle or even elementary school...
game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
that airs on New Hampshire Public Television
New Hampshire Public Television
New Hampshire Public Television is a television company and public broadcasting state network in New Hampshire, licensed to the University System of New Hampshire and is part of the Public Broadcasting Service...
and began in 1983.
Description
High schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
s from around the state compete against each other to win bragging rights and grant money for their school. The first season of the program was hosted by Tom Bergeron
Tom Bergeron
Tom Bergeron is an American television personality and game show host, best known as the host of the ABC reality series Dancing with the Stars and host of America's Funniest Home Videos . He was also host of Hollywood Squares and a fill-in host for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire...
(now of America's Funniest Home Videos
America's Funniest Home Videos
America's Funniest Home Videos is an American reality television program on ABC in which viewers are able to send in humorous homemade videotapes. The most common videos usually feature slapstick physical comedy arising from incidents, accidents and mishaps...
and Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the name of several international television series based on the format of the British TV series Strictly Come Dancing, which is distributed by BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the format has been licensed to over 35 countries...
fame), one of Bergeron's first jobs appearing on television. Starting in the second season and continuing to today, Jim Jeannotte took over hosting duties. The co-host is Lori Warriner, who interviews the contestants. Prior co-hosts include Tim Estiloz, John Herman, and Alison MacNair (former host of NHPTV's NH Outlook). The competition features 32 teams in a single elimination tournament competing in half-hour shows that are pretaped over a few weeks and air through the broadcast season. The championship game, called the Superchallenge, is a 1-hour show with extended categories and more questions. Since 1995, part of the funding for Granite State Challenge comes from proceeds of the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. Beginning in 2008, each episode is available to view on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
and to download at no charge on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
. There have been many fierce rivalries throughout the years of competition, including Bishop Guertin
Bishop Guertin High School
Bishop Guertin is a college preparatory private Roman Catholic high school in Nashua, New Hampshire. It was founded by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in 1963. The school is located off Exit 4 of the F. E...
and Nashua
Nashua high school south
Nashua High School South is a public high school located in Nashua, New Hampshire. The school's current location was erected in 1975 with its first class graduating in June 1976. The school was remodeled between 2002 and 2004 when a second school, Nashua High School North, was built...
(until recently undivided), Alvirne
Alvirne High School
Alvirne High School is located in the town of Hudson, New Hampshire with an enrollment of approximately 1,500 students from grades 9-12. Alvirne gets its name from a prominent Hudson family, the Alfred and Virginia Hills family, who left a large piece of property to the town in the early 20th...
and Pinkerton
Pinkerton Academy
Pinkerton Academy is a secondary school in Derry, New Hampshire. It is the largest independent academy in the United States, serving roughly 3,600 students as the high school for the communities of Derry, Hampstead, Chester and sometimes Auburn...
, and Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy is a private secondary school located in Exeter, New Hampshire, in the United States.Exeter is noted for its application of Harkness education, a system based on a conference format of teacher and student interaction, similar to the Socratic method of learning through asking...
and Hollis/Brookline
Hollis/Brookline High School
Hollis/Brookline High School is a public school located in Hollis, New Hampshire, serving the towns of Hollis and Brookline. It is administered by New Hampshire School Administration Unit 41.-History:...
.
Rules
The game is played by two teams of four, and uses a four-quarter format. All four quarters are played to a time limit.The first quarter is a round of toss-up questions worth 10 points each.
The second quarter uses 10-point toss-ups followed by a choice of three bonus sets. There are three questions in a bonus set, worth 5 points each, and teams may confer on bonuses.
The third quarter is the show's lightning round. The trailing team gets the first choice of three categories, and the leading team picks from the remaining two. Each team gets 60 seconds to answer either 10 questions or (rarely) either one 10-part question such as a "put these in order" question or a series of questions totaling 10 parts. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, with a 10-point bonus for going 10-for-10.
The fourth quarter is a final round of 10-point toss-ups.
The winning team advances in a season-long tournament. In the final, titled "Granite State Super Challenge," there are seven rounds: the first, fifth, and seventh are toss-up rounds, the second and fourth rounds are toss-ups followed by bonuses, and the third and sixth rounds are the 60-second lightning rounds.
Past Champions
This is a list of past GSC winners since 1983.- 1983-84 LondonderryLondonderry High SchoolLondonderry High School is a public secondary school serving grades 9 through 12 in the town of Londonderry, New Hampshire. The school, located on Mammoth Road , is on a parcel of land in the center of town. The main building is . and the separate gymnasium takes up an additional...
def. Laconia (inaugural championship, inaugural champion also has longest title drought) - 1984-85 Phillips Exeter AcademyPhillips Exeter AcademyPhillips Exeter Academy is a private secondary school located in Exeter, New Hampshire, in the United States.Exeter is noted for its application of Harkness education, a system based on a conference format of teacher and student interaction, similar to the Socratic method of learning through asking...
def. Hollis/BrooklineHollis/Brookline High SchoolHollis/Brookline High School is a public school located in Hollis, New Hampshire, serving the towns of Hollis and Brookline. It is administered by New Hampshire School Administration Unit 41.-History:...
(school's only title) - 1985-86 St. ThomasSt. Thomas Aquinas High School (Dover, New Hampshire)St. Thomas Aquinas High School is a coeducational Catholic high school in Dover, New Hampshire, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester. It has a student population of approximately 650, and a faculty of 55.- History :...
def. WinnisquamWinnisquam Regional High SchoolWinnisquam Regional High School is a public high school located in Tilton, New Hampshire, in the United States. Students of the school are primarily from the towns of Sanbornton, Tilton, and Northfield, though some other towns are represented. The school is commonly referred to by its...
(school's only title) - 1986-87 Bishop GuertinBishop Guertin High SchoolBishop Guertin is a college preparatory private Roman Catholic high school in Nashua, New Hampshire. It was founded by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in 1963. The school is located off Exit 4 of the F. E...
def. Merrimack (school's only title) - 1987-88 WinnisquamWinnisquam Regional High SchoolWinnisquam Regional High School is a public high school located in Tilton, New Hampshire, in the United States. Students of the school are primarily from the towns of Sanbornton, Tilton, and Northfield, though some other towns are represented. The school is commonly referred to by its...
def. Hollis/BrooklineHollis/Brookline High SchoolHollis/Brookline High School is a public school located in Hollis, New Hampshire, serving the towns of Hollis and Brookline. It is administered by New Hampshire School Administration Unit 41.-History:...
(5th Anniversary) - 1988-89 AlvirneAlvirne High SchoolAlvirne High School is located in the town of Hudson, New Hampshire with an enrollment of approximately 1,500 students from grades 9-12. Alvirne gets its name from a prominent Hudson family, the Alfred and Virginia Hills family, who left a large piece of property to the town in the early 20th...
def. PinkertonPinkerton AcademyPinkerton Academy is a secondary school in Derry, New Hampshire. It is the largest independent academy in the United States, serving roughly 3,600 students as the high school for the communities of Derry, Hampstead, Chester and sometimes Auburn... - 1989-90 Laconia def. Woodsville
- 1990-91 HanoverHanover High School (New Hampshire)Hanover High School is the only public high school in the Dresden School District, in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. In 1963 it became the first interstate high school in the country as part of a bill that was the last ever signed into action by John F. Kennedy. Today it accepts students from...
def. John StarkJohn Stark Regional High SchoolJohn Stark Regional High School PrincipalChris MoscaAsst. PrincipalsBrian Emery, Tina TanguaySchool typePublic Founded1987LocationWeare, Hillsborough County, New HampshireEnrollment913Campus surroundingsRural... - 1991-92 PortsmouthPortsmouth High School (New Hampshire)Portsmouth High School is a public high school located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire with a current enrollment of approximately 1,100. Accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the State of New Hampshire, the school serves the communities of Portsmouth, Rye,...
def. DoverDover High School (New Hampshire)Dover Senior High School serves the city of Dover and the towns of Barrington and Nottingham, New Hampshire.In 2005, DHS became a New Hampshire School of Excellence....
(school's only title) - 1992-93 WinnisquamWinnisquam Regional High SchoolWinnisquam Regional High School is a public high school located in Tilton, New Hampshire, in the United States. Students of the school are primarily from the towns of Sanbornton, Tilton, and Northfield, though some other towns are represented. The school is commonly referred to by its...
def. John StarkJohn Stark Regional High SchoolJohn Stark Regional High School PrincipalChris MoscaAsst. PrincipalsBrian Emery, Tina TanguaySchool typePublic Founded1987LocationWeare, Hillsborough County, New HampshireEnrollment913Campus surroundingsRural...
(10th Anniversary, first repeat champion) - 1993-94 AlvirneAlvirne High SchoolAlvirne High School is located in the town of Hudson, New Hampshire with an enrollment of approximately 1,500 students from grades 9-12. Alvirne gets its name from a prominent Hudson family, the Alfred and Virginia Hills family, who left a large piece of property to the town in the early 20th...
def. KearsargeKearsarge Regional High SchoolKearsarge Regional High School is a high school located in North Sutton, New Hampshire, serving the Kearsarge Regional School District. Kearsarge Regional High School serves students from the neighboring towns of New London, Wilmot, Newbury, Springfield, Warner and Bradford.Sports at the high... - 1994-95 Laconia def. KeeneKeene High SchoolKeene High School is a public high school located in Keene, New Hampshire. It serves the city of Keene and the surrounding towns of Chesterfield, Harrisville, Marlborough, Marlow, Nelson, Westmoreland and Winchester....
- 1995-96 PlymouthPlymouth Regional High SchoolPlymouth Regional High School is a public secondary school in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Surrounding towns that attend PRHS are Ashland, Holderness, Campton, Rumney, Wentworth, Warren, Ellsworth, Waterville Valley and Thornton. Bruce Parsons is the current principal. The facility, opened in 1970,...
def. Woodsville (school's only title) - 1996-97 KeeneKeene High SchoolKeene High School is a public high school located in Keene, New Hampshire. It serves the city of Keene and the surrounding towns of Chesterfield, Harrisville, Marlborough, Marlow, Nelson, Westmoreland and Winchester....
def. Oyster RiverOyster River High SchoolOyster River High School , part of the Oyster River Cooperative School District , is a public high school located in Durham, New Hampshire, United States with an enrollment of about 700 students. It serves Durham and the neighboring communities of Lee and Madbury.During 2001-2003 it had a...
(school's only title) - 1997-98 Salem def. DerryfieldDerryfield SchoolThe Derryfield School is an independent day, college preparatory, coeducational high school located in Manchester, New Hampshire.-History:Established in 1964, Derryfield has become well known around New Hampshire for academic and athletic achievements. Derryfield's school colors are maroon and white...
(15th Anniversary) - 1998-99 Oyster RiverOyster River High SchoolOyster River High School , part of the Oyster River Cooperative School District , is a public high school located in Durham, New Hampshire, United States with an enrollment of about 700 students. It serves Durham and the neighboring communities of Lee and Madbury.During 2001-2003 it had a...
def. Profile - 1999-2000 KearsargeKearsarge Regional High SchoolKearsarge Regional High School is a high school located in North Sutton, New Hampshire, serving the Kearsarge Regional School District. Kearsarge Regional High School serves students from the neighboring towns of New London, Wilmot, Newbury, Springfield, Warner and Bradford.Sports at the high...
def. DerryfieldDerryfield SchoolThe Derryfield School is an independent day, college preparatory, coeducational high school located in Manchester, New Hampshire.-History:Established in 1964, Derryfield has become well known around New Hampshire for academic and athletic achievements. Derryfield's school colors are maroon and white...
(school's only title) - 2000-01 Oyster RiverOyster River High SchoolOyster River High School , part of the Oyster River Cooperative School District , is a public high school located in Durham, New Hampshire, United States with an enrollment of about 700 students. It serves Durham and the neighboring communities of Lee and Madbury.During 2001-2003 it had a...
def. Trinity - 2001-02 Salem def. WinnisquamWinnisquam Regional High SchoolWinnisquam Regional High School is a public high school located in Tilton, New Hampshire, in the United States. Students of the school are primarily from the towns of Sanbornton, Tilton, and Northfield, though some other towns are represented. The school is commonly referred to by its...
- 2002-03 HanoverHanover High School (New Hampshire)Hanover High School is the only public high school in the Dresden School District, in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. In 1963 it became the first interstate high school in the country as part of a bill that was the last ever signed into action by John F. Kennedy. Today it accepts students from...
def. WinnacunnetWinnacunnet High SchoolWinnacunnet High School is an American public high school located in Hampton, New Hampshire. It serves students in grades 9 through 12 who reside in the communities of Hampton, Seabrook, North Hampton, and Hampton Falls. Students from South Hampton have the option of attending either Winnacunnet...
(20th Anniversary) - 2003-04 WinnisquamWinnisquam Regional High SchoolWinnisquam Regional High School is a public high school located in Tilton, New Hampshire, in the United States. Students of the school are primarily from the towns of Sanbornton, Tilton, and Northfield, though some other towns are represented. The school is commonly referred to by its...
def. Trinity - 2004-05 AlvirneAlvirne High SchoolAlvirne High School is located in the town of Hudson, New Hampshire with an enrollment of approximately 1,500 students from grades 9-12. Alvirne gets its name from a prominent Hudson family, the Alfred and Virginia Hills family, who left a large piece of property to the town in the early 20th...
def. Inter-LakesInter-Lakes High SchoolInter-Lakes High School is a high school in Meredith, New Hampshire. The school serves the towns of Meredith, Center Harbor, and Sandwich.The school competes in NHIAA Class M, and has teams in cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, soccer, basketball, tennis, baseball, softball and girls'... - 2005-06 Manchester WestManchester High School WestManchester High School West, known as West High or West, is a public high school located in Manchester, New Hampshire. According to the Blue Book: Manchester High School West Hand Book , the school was officially opened in September 1923 as a grade school and high school, hosting the seventh and...
def. WinnacunnetWinnacunnet High SchoolWinnacunnet High School is an American public high school located in Hampton, New Hampshire. It serves students in grades 9 through 12 who reside in the communities of Hampton, Seabrook, North Hampton, and Hampton Falls. Students from South Hampton have the option of attending either Winnacunnet...
(school's only title) - 2006-07 HanoverHanover High School (New Hampshire)Hanover High School is the only public high school in the Dresden School District, in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. In 1963 it became the first interstate high school in the country as part of a bill that was the last ever signed into action by John F. Kennedy. Today it accepts students from...
def. DerryfieldDerryfield SchoolThe Derryfield School is an independent day, college preparatory, coeducational high school located in Manchester, New Hampshire.-History:Established in 1964, Derryfield has become well known around New Hampshire for academic and athletic achievements. Derryfield's school colors are maroon and white...
(school's only title) - 2007-08 John StarkJohn Stark Regional High SchoolJohn Stark Regional High School PrincipalChris MoscaAsst. PrincipalsBrian Emery, Tina TanguaySchool typePublic Founded1987LocationWeare, Hillsborough County, New HampshireEnrollment913Campus surroundingsRural...
def. WinnacunnetWinnacunnet High SchoolWinnacunnet High School is an American public high school located in Hampton, New Hampshire. It serves students in grades 9 through 12 who reside in the communities of Hampton, Seabrook, North Hampton, and Hampton Falls. Students from South Hampton have the option of attending either Winnacunnet...
(25th Anniversary, school's only title) - 2008-09 Hollis/BrooklineHollis/Brookline High SchoolHollis/Brookline High School is a public school located in Hollis, New Hampshire, serving the towns of Hollis and Brookline. It is administered by New Hampshire School Administration Unit 41.-History:...
def. Phillips Exeter AcademyPhillips Exeter AcademyPhillips Exeter Academy is a private secondary school located in Exeter, New Hampshire, in the United States.Exeter is noted for its application of Harkness education, a system based on a conference format of teacher and student interaction, similar to the Socratic method of learning through asking...
(school's only title) - 2009-10 Manchester Central def. HanoverHanover High School (New Hampshire)Hanover High School is the only public high school in the Dresden School District, in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. In 1963 it became the first interstate high school in the country as part of a bill that was the last ever signed into action by John F. Kennedy. Today it accepts students from...
(school's only title) - 2010-11 Bishop BradyBishop Brady High SchoolBishop Brady High School is a small, private, Catholic co-educational school in Concord, New Hampshire. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester. The official enrollment is 425 students attending. "A Catholic school, a caring community" is the slogan that adorns their sign and is...
def. ConVal (defending champions, school's only title)
Schools with Multiple Titles
Three Titles Apiece
- Hanover (2006-07, 2002-03, 1990-91)
- Alvirne (2004-05, 1993-94, 1988-89)
- Winnisquam (2003-04, 1992-93, 1987-88)
Two Titles Apiece
- Salem (2001-02, 1997-98)
- Oyster River (2000-01, 1998-99)
- Laconia (1994-95, 1989-90)