The LifeSmarts team made it to nationals after taking the state win in February. They came home with the third place title after making it to the sweet 16 and the final four.
Juniors Niyati Patel, Keelie Steward, Adviser Don Zabelin, Elio Berug, Alexander Jacobo, and Jason Thunberg after their victory. “I am very proud of my team,” Patel said. (Photo courtesy of Don Zabelin)
After a long and hard season, the LifeSmarts team placed third in the nation on April 18 at nationals in Orlando, Florida.
This is the first time the LifeSmarts team has made it to the top four in over five years, the last time being in 2019. Former educator Don Zabelin and team captain Niyati Patel led the LifeSmarts team. The team was invited to compete at nationals after their state victory earlier in the year.
LifeSmarts is a high school competition that tests topics such as personal finance, consumer rights, technology, post-secondary education, the environment, and health and safety.
The LifeSmarts national competition included rounds of tests, public service announcements, “first to the buzzer” competitions, and more. The top 16 teams, known as the “sweet 16,” competed in an elimination-style quiz bowl. After beating Hawaii 165–145, the West Chicago team went up against Rhode Island, which secured their place in the top four.
LifeSmarts team before their matches start, Keelie Steward, Alexander Jacobo, Elio Berug, Jason Thunberg, and Niyati Patel. (Photo courtesy of Don Zabelin)
“The true challenge was Rhode Island, which, for me, will be a match I will never forget. At one point, we were down, then I got the last four questions right in a row, leading to a 175–165 win,” LifeSmarts member Elio Bregu said.
In the top four, the team went up against Georgia, which eventually won by 50 points, taking the win with a final score of 240–190.
“The entire team was 100 percent committed to excellence and willing to work very hard to compete with the best teams from across the country,” Zabelin said. “Niya Patel, Keelie Steward, and Jason Thunberg all came through in high-pressure situations.”
Every team member won a $750 scholarship for making it to the top four, and Patel won a $1,000 scholarship for her project as an Over-the-Counter Medicine Safety Mentor.
Individual testing ended with success as well. Keelie Steward won fifth place in Technology, Patel won fourth place in Environment, Alex Jacobo won third place in Personal Finance, and Bregu was the national champion in Consumer Rights and Responsibilities.
“It felt amazing to be honest,” Bregu said. “I know as a team we had the capabilities to win, but we faced a tough opponent and put in our best work.”
Even though the team made it far in the competition, some thought they would not make it, but they powered through.
“I was very doubtful going into the round of eight and especially doubtful for the semifinals. To get through it, I just took a deep breath and told myself that no matter what happens, we have made it very far regardless,” Patel said.
Ruby Guerrero Lopez is a junior at West Chicago Community High School and no stranger to journalism. Over her high school years, she’s had absolutely no idea what she wants to do after school. Right now, it’s to be a family attorney, but who knows, it could change by tomorrow. A piece she’s most proud of is her “More than grades” in-depth article. In her free time, she likes to say that she studies and works, which is mostly true, although sometimes you’ll catch her watching movies or TV shows over working any day. If you get her talking about Marvel or Harry Potter, you’ll probably never hear the end of it.
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