After LifeSmarts competitors defeated La Moille High School at the state level on Feb. 23, the students are preparing for nationals that will take place April 9-12 in Denver.

The school hosted the competition.

The team going to nationals consists of seniors Sarah Venen and Jacob Wiegele, junior Garrett Hostika, and sophomore Mike Sawicki. Senior Jesus Moreno is the alternate.

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

“We have maintained the state championship the last five or six years since I have been coaching, so we got a good tradition going,” adviser Nancy Blume said.

Many members are thrilled to compete at nationals.

“It is pretty great. We practice a lot which pays off, and it is a great experience. Going to Seattle last year was amazing,” Sawicki said.

For others, it is the first year competing at nationals.

“It is my first year in LifeSmarts so it is a great opportunity to go to Denver with experienced members. With it being my senior year it will be a great memory,” Wiegele said.

The team is practicing to prepare for the competition.

“Nationals is very competitive. The last several years we have had our ups and downs. Our top goal is to be part of the final eight,” Blume said.

The team practices every Monday and Wednesday in the morning.

“When we practice we pull out the buzzers and it is usually Jeopardy styled. We give them a question and they have to answer it as fast as they can. We go through videos and terminology to practice,” adviser Donna Durbin said.

According to Hostika, participating in nationals will help students later in life.

Besides competing, nationals gives the chance for competitors to meet new people.

“The most exciting about nationals is competing with people across the country and not the people in the same state,” Venen said.