The season kicks off this November with a new face behind the podium.
Bethlehem, Pa. — November 2, 2017 — The battle for top dog in the “brains” division begins again this fall. Premiering on Tuesday, November 14th at 7 p.m., regional high school students will again compete on PBS39’s long-running academic quiz show, Scholastic Scrimmage. The premier episode features teams from Lehighton and Nazareth high schools. Adding to the excitement will be a new host, Mr. Joe Pacitti.
Pacitti takes over for Dr. Karen Walton, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs with DeSales University, who recently retired as host of Scholastic Scrimmage, a role she held for over 20 years. Prior to her long run, Harry Price hosted the show.
Pacitti, a Lehigh Valley native, will act as moderator while two teams of four high school students each battle head to head on subjects from humanities and science to mathematics and the arts. During the show, Pacitti’s responsibilities include introducing the players, asking the questions, fielding answers, and keeping up the quick-paced momentum of the game.
Pacitti attended St. Ann School and Emmaus High School. As a kid, he considered himself a jack of most trades – participating in lacrosse, jazz band, and coincidently, an alternate for the Scholastic Scrimmage team. Having dabbled in many pursuits, he has always found immense value in learning about anything and everything. “Scholastic Scrimmage is proud to be the longest running program on PBS39,” commented Alyissa J. Gallagher, Director of Education and Outreach for PBS39. “We look forward to a new and exciting format for the Valley’s favorite academic competition. I encourage our devoted viewers to tune in this season and am confident that Joe will attract a new crop of fans.”
More than 130 students from 31 schools in our region compete in this televised academic quiz show each year. At the end of the season, the top two schools win cash prizes for their schools, provided by program partner grants. First place receives $4,000 and second place receives $2,000 for their scholarship fund.
“Scholastic Scrimmage is a great way for academically driven students to be a part of a team, and experience the value that comes through healthy competition,” said Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent, Dr. Joseph Roy.
Starting November 14th, new episodes of Scholastic Scrimmage will air on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on PBS39. Episodes will also air Saturdays at 10 a.m., Sundays at 11 a.m., Mondays at 5:30 p.m. and Fridays at 3 p.m. during the season.
2017 participating high schools: Lehighton, Nazareth, Notre Dame, Emmaus, Dieruff, Bangor, Lehigh Valley Academy, Freedom, Saucon Valley, Catasauqua, Panther Valley, Wm. Allen, Jim Thorpe, Marian Catholic, Northampton, Wilson, Pen Argyl, Allentown Central Catholic, Northwestern Lehigh, Moravian, Bethlehem Catholic, Stroudsburg, Whitehall, Southern Lehigh, Palmerton, Northern Lehigh, Liberty Salisbury, Parkland. For more information, click HERE.
About PBS39
PBS39 is a community-owned public television station licensed to Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, Pa., serving eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. PBS39 is owned and operated by the Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation. PBS39 acts as the catalyst to promote civic engagement, and to fulfill the regional needs of the Greater Lehigh Valley through its dynamic communication platforms and resources. For more information, visit wlvt.org.
Information Provided By:
DaWayne Cleckley
VP, Marketing
PBS39
