YORK - Virtual unknowns have won millions of dollars playing the televised game show "Jeopardy."
Though the prizes will be more modest - $50 gift certificates - on Friday, Feb. 29, at York High School, teams of local personalities, business people and students will be fielding the same kinds of questions about topics including trivia, history and popular culture.
"You never know what kind of question you're going to get," explained, Sarah Straz, a York High School Academic Boosters advisor.
The Academic Boosters sponsor the evening where 12 teams from local businesses, professionals and students will be testing their knowledge during the 11th Annual York High School Jeopardy Challenge in the school's auditorium beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is $3.
"It's a lot of fun for everyone who plays and everyone who comes to watch," said Academic Boosters Advisor Amy Rosenberg. "We are very happy to have Starkey Ford returning for their second year, and welcome a new team from Rivergreen Bank.
Each team of three has donated $350.
The York Town Hall Team has been sponsored by different businesses, allowing them the opportunity to play. These businesses include Amidon Family Dentistry, The Marketplace and Travel Experts of York.
Swags and York Chiropractic Health Center have donated money toward a student team.
Local restaurants donating a prize for our winners include York Harbor Inn, Foster's Clam Bake, The Meat House, Sticks and Maniax Café.
Each round consists of four teams - three adult and one student - fielding questions from the ever-entertaining Michael Harris who stands in for "Jeopardy" host Alex Trebek.
Returning teams include the York Teacher's Association, York Educational Support Professionals, York Hospital, York Family Practice, Albany Engineered Composites,
Anchorage Inn, Landscape Express, YHS Key Club, Kennebunk Savings Bank, Town Hall and the returning champions from the York Rotary Club.
During the event, 50/50 raffle tickets will be sold with the drawing during intermission. Free appetizer certificates for Ruby's will be available with the first 50 tickets purchased, and refreshments will also be sold during the event.
Rosenberg said she encourages community members and students to attend the Feb. 29 show and any support is a bonus, since the Jeopardy Challenge is the Academic Boosters' only fundraiser.
All money raised supports the YHS Academic Boosters' mission, which is encouraging and recognizing high scholastic achievement including such initiatives as student-of-the-month awards and the annual honors banquet.
