Tense Competition with Sudden Death, Tiebreaker Concludes with Irvington High School as Gold Medal Winner of New Jersey Consumer Affairs' 17th Annual High School Consumer Bowl
TRENTON – The final competition today of New Jersey's High School Consumer Bowl came down to a nail-biter of an ending.
The game ended with a tie, between Irvington High School and Voorhees High School. Then the five-question tiebreaker ended in a tie. The game finally went into a single-question sudden death round. The question: "At an auction, the items for sale are usually identified by numbers. What term is used to describe those items?"
Irvington High School student Danielson Joseph buzzed in with the correct answer: Items for sale at an auction are called "lots."
With that, Irvington High School today became the state champion and gold-medal winner in the 17th Annual High School Consumer Bowl, organized by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
"The winning team from Irvington High School and the finalists from Freehold Township High School, Moorestown Friends School, and Voorhees High School have proven they are among the best-informed consumers of any age group in New Jersey," Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said. "The State fights hard to prevent and prosecute fraud, but the best protection is consumer awareness. Thanks to their dedicated work, these students have a clear understanding that will serve them well for the rest of their lives."
Irvington High School was one of 86 schools to enter this year's Consumer Bowl competition, and one of four to make it to today's final championship round. The others, in order of their performance today, are Voorhees High School (today's Silver Medal winner, with a final score of 95 points), Freehold Township High School (winner of a Bronze Medal, with 74 points), and Moorestown Friends School (winner of a Bronze Medal, with 45 points). Irvington's final score was 105 points.
"New Jersey's next generation of leaders, and the next generation of smart consumers, starts with these young men and women who are well informed about their rights, about spotting frauds and scams, and about using their money most effectively," Eric T. Kanefsky, Director of the State Division of Consumer Affairs, said. "I encourage them to share what they've learned for the benefit of their families, friends, and future careers."
The High School Consumer Bowl is part of the State Division of Consumer Affairs' effort to empower New Jersey's consumers with the information needed to protect them against fraud, and make the most of their hard-earned money.
The Consumer Bowl uses a game-show format to test students' knowledge of consumer rights and related issues. This year's competition will include a special focus on the many scams consumers may face in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, such as dishonest home repair contractors and fraudulent charities.
Other topics include Ponzi schemes and investment fraud, the purchase and leasing of new and used vehicles, regulated businesses such as health clubs, consumers' rights when making retail purchases, and general knowledge of the State's consumer protection laws and regulations.
The following students represented Irvington High School:
Josmar Adames, team captain
Danielson Joseph
Danny Tandazo
Chiamaka Udoye
Kadeem Willis
The following students represented Voorhees High School:
Clare Cutri-French, team captain
Sam De Fabrizio
Jason Farrell
Tess Pecina,
Zachary Schweikert
The following students represented Freehold Township High School:
Samantha Fitzgerald, team captain
Joanne D'Avella
Michael Milo
Bethany Mo
Samantha Sanchez
The following students represented Moorestown Friends School:
Kirsten Muller, team captain
Ashleigh Cartwright
Tia D'Costa
Katherine Thai
Roy Thorstenson
Schools interested in competing in next year's Consumer Bowl competition may contact the State Division of Consumer Affairs at 973-504-6241.
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its
website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.
Follow the Division of Consumer Affairs on
Facebook , and check our online calendar of upcoming
Consumer Outreach events.
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