After winning first place at state, the LifeSmarts team placed fourth at nationals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania April 21-24.

Five students advanced to nationals including senior captain Garrett Hosticka, David Rivera, Arturo Rubio, junior Michael Sawicki, and Conor Tully.

“Our goal, as stereotypical as it sounds, was just to do as well as possible at Nationals. With regards to last year’s middle of the road finish, we came into the competition not entirely expecting to end up in fourth place,” Tully said.

LifeSmarts is a scholastic bowl that tests students knowledge in health and safety, personal finance, technology, the environment, consumer rights and responsibilities.

“I always tell kids (LifeSmarts) is all the stuff we do as grown up like all the little details and knowledge that you need to know to be a good consumer,” coach Nancy Blume said.

According to Blume, the club is satisfied with what they have accomplished.

“We did the best we have ever done, ” Blume said. “It was a very big accomplishment for us to make the top 16 and to get into the top eight.”

The club practiced Wednesdays after school and Friday mornings.

“My biggest challenge honestly was waking up in the morning for practice. It was a struggle, but I persevered and came out on the positive end,” Tully said.

Blume believes the team needs to practice at being faster.

“I think we just need to keep practicing on the buzzers because we lost by four questions and I think our team even knew some of the answers they just couldn’t get to the buzzer fast enough,” Blume said.

Team member encourages new members to have fun and work to their potential.

“New members should come in with the mindset of being aware of how much fun the experience at nationals is, and use that to fuel their progression,” Tully said. “It is a fantastic time meeting kids from other states as well as completing activities with your sister team, and I would recommend it to anyone.”