OBHS academic team competes on quiz show Faces off against Nutley on News 12 Feb. 23 and 24 The academic team from Old Bridge High School will face Nutley High School in the first-round competition of Cablevision's "The Challenge." Pictured are (from left) academic adviser Barbara Hauser, Grittney Tam, team captain Neeraja Konuthula, host Bryan Jenkins, Dedeepya Konuthula, Nidhi Saraiya and team alternate Rutuparna Sarangi. OLD BRIDGE - Students from Old Bridge High School will hit the airwaves next week in the first round of Cablevision's "The Challenge," an academic quiz showdesigned to test students'knowledge in a Jeopardy style format. The first-round matchup between Old BridgeHigh School and NutleyHigh School will air on News 12 New Jersey at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 23,with an encore airing Feb. 24 at the same times. "The Challenge," hosted by News 12 anchor Bryan Jenkins, can also be viewed anytime of video on demand (VOD) through News 12 Interactive, located on iO TV channel 612. For the first time in its 11-year history, "The Challenge" includes schools and students from the Westchester/Hudson Valley region and the Bronx and Brooklyn, in addition to Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut. More than 735 students representing 147 tristate area high schools are participating this season. Teams are typicallymade up of students who are at the top of their classwho compete based on their knowledge of history, arts and literature, math and science. "Every year 'The Challenge' generates excitement not only for the participating schools, but also for TV audienceswho enjoy playing along at home," said Cablevision's vice president of education, TrentAnderson. "The 11th season promises fierce competition, and an exciting half-hour of television eachweek for viewers of all ages. ... Wewish Old Bridge High School and Nutley High School luck as they face off in round one." RepresentingOldBridgeHigh School are DedeepyaKonuthula, teamcaptainNeeraja Konuthula, Nidhi Saraiya, team alternate Rutuparna Sarangi and Grittney Tam. The team's academic adviser is Barbara Hauser. As this season progresses, schoolswill vie eachweek to continue on in the competition, which ultimately results in the best teams from each region facing off against each other in the spring. Regional championswill then compete to be the Tri-State Challenge Champion. Thewinning teamin each region will receive $2,500 and go on to compete for $10,000 in the Tri-State Championship. Each student participating in the championship match will receive $500. "The Challenge" is part of Cablevision's education initiative, Power to Learn, with the stated commitment to the development and learning of students in the tristate area. For more information, including standings, statistics and short contestant bios, visit www.powertolearn.com as the tournament progresses.