Answer Buzzer
The Quiz Master asks the trivia contestants: Name a country that starts with the letter ‘Q.’ One overly-eager contestant slams his hand on the answer buzzer too soon and spits out Cuba! This was the scene at a recent round of “Reach for the Top.” Instantly realizing the folly of his answer, the respondent’s face grimaced in embarrassment and regret for pressing the answer buzzer too soon. He knew better, but the excitement of the competition got the better of him.
“Reach For The Top” was a Canadian trivia-based academic quiz program broadcast on CBC’s affiliate station CBUT in Vancouver in 1961; the first national tournament was held in 1965. Local competitions were filmed at various locations throughout Canada. Teams of four students represented their school. Points are earned by answering academic and general knowledge questions covering a broad array of subjects.
Shawnigan Lake School sent teams to compete at Provincials six times between 1979 and 1985, with good success. Two of the teams reached the zone finals, and two reached the provincial finals, coming second in BC. CBC stopped airing the show in 1985.
Since 1970, the School has held an annual Reach For The Top competition as an inter-House event. Each House fields a team of four seniors and four juniors; seniors and juniors compete in separate events. For many years, the competition has been held at Manning Park during the School’s annual Ski Week. Occasionally, a team of students has challenged a staff team. Fast-thinking trivia buffs love this inter-House event – reaching for the buzzer as they reach for the top of the highly competitive winner’s ladder.
The information presented in this write-up is based on current information available in the School's Archives and consultation with key people who have some relevant connection to this "object." If you have further information about this "object" that you would like to contribute, please contact the School’s Advancement Office at alumni@shawnigan.ca.
Shawnigan Lake School sent teams to compete at Provincials six times between 1979 and 1985, with good success. Two of the teams reached the zone finals, and two reached the provincial finals, coming second in BC. CBC stopped airing the show in 1985.
Since 1970, the School has held an annual Reach For The Top competition as an inter-House event. Each House fields a team of four seniors and four juniors; seniors and juniors compete in separate events. For many years, the competition has been held at Manning Park during the School’s annual Ski Week. Occasionally, a team of students has challenged a staff team. Fast-thinking trivia buffs love this inter-House event – reaching for the buzzer as they reach for the top of the highly competitive winner’s ladder.
The information presented in this write-up is based on current information available in the School's Archives and consultation with key people who have some relevant connection to this "object." If you have further information about this "object" that you would like to contribute, please contact the School’s Advancement Office at alumni@shawnigan.ca.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
