Colts Neck students to appear on 'Challenge'
All-star student scholars from Colts Neck High School will challenge Vernon Township High School in the first round of the 11th season of Cablevision's "The Challenge," an academic quiz show designed to test students' knowledge in a Jeopardy-style format.

The first-round match-up between Colts Neck and Vernon Township will air exclusively on News 12 New Jersey at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 12, with an encore airing on Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

"The Challenge," hosted by News 12 New Jersey anchor Bryan Jenkins, can also be viewed anytime through 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, N.Y., in addition to Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut. According to a press release, more than 735 students representing 147 tri-state area high schools are participating this season.

Teams are typically made up of students who are at the top of their class - academic all-stars who 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 audiences who enjoy playing along at home," said Trent Anderson, Cablevision's vice president of education. "The 11th season promises fierce competition - and an exciting halfhour of television each week for viewers of all ages. Cablevision, through Power to Learn, is committed to the development and education of students in the tri-state area, and 'The Challenge' gives us the opportunity to do so in a fun and engaging way. We wish Colts Neck and Vernon Township good luck as they face off in round one."

Representing Colts Neck High School will be Jessica Atlas, Rachel Feingold, Zara Feingold, Nikita Shenoy (captain) and Tyler Berman (alternate). The team's academic adviser is Jamie Krieger- Lundquist.

As this season of "The Challenge" progresses, schools will vie each week to continue on in the competition, which ultimately results in the best teams from each region facing off against each other next spring. Regional champions will then compete for the ultimate title, Tri-State Challenge Champion. The winning team in 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 moderated by News 12 anchors from each region.