High school students from across Chester County gathered at the Downingtown Country Club on Friday, May 8, to honor the hard work and dedication of the Chester County Academic Competition teams after several months of studying, practicing, and rigorous competing.

Coaches and team members shared memories from throughout the season, connected with teams from other schools, celebrated academic excellence, and came together one last time for the 2025-26 school year.

The breakfast opened with remarks from Jay Della Ragione, special events coordinator for the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), followed by a welcome from Melissa Smith, assistant director of communications, marketing, and engagement. Brielle Ridgeway, representing premier sponsor Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (FMFCU), concluded the welcome with an inspiring message before guests enjoyed a buffet-style brunch prepared by the country club staff.

"My job — my privilege — is to help create memories that last well beyond the competition," said Della Ragione. "The Breakfast of Champions exists so that every student who has walked through the door of an academic competition this year feels seen, celebrated, and proud of what they've accomplished. And that includes the coaches. They are the unsung heroes who show up for these students every single week, championing their growth long before anyone hands out a trophy. Chester County is home to truly exceptional young people and today is about honoring not just their academic achievements, but the teamwork, resilience, and joy they brought to every single round."

The program continued with keynote speaker Isaac Hirsch, a quiz-bowl veteran and University of Maryland graduate who appeared on the game show Jeopardy! and won multiple times. Hirsch now works in the software industry by day and performs stand-up comedy by night. Blending humor with real-world perspective, he encouraged students to value growth over outcomes, reminding them that success is shaped not by constant wins, but by learning from challenges and handling setbacks with resilience.

“I wish somebody told me that the wins and losses don't matter as much as you think they do in the moment. Ultimately, it's the experience of it. I think if I had been a little less crushed when I lost and had enjoyed it more for what it was, I would have been a healthier, more balanced teenager. I played college quiz bowl after high school and that helped me to take it for what it was, so I started to enjoy the experience and wasn't as caught up in winning and losing.”

Hirsch’s keynote speech also highlighted that intelligence takes many forms, urging students to respect others’ strengths while recognizing their own. Above all, he reassured students that it is okay not to have a clear path yet, encouraging them to remain open to change, practice discipline, and appreciate the people who support them along the way.

When asked what advice he would give to the students who are graduating this year, his message was simple: “Enjoy this time! The world’s laid out in front of you with a million possibilities. Don't be afraid to pivot or change what you think you want to do.”

The 2026 Breakfast of Champions concluded with an awards ceremony to honor one individual from each of the Chester County teams as MVP. Additionally, the Chester County Coach of the Year and the Howard M. Reinard Jr. Competitor of the Year were announced, as well as the Heart of the Team award.

The Coach of the Year is an annual recognition awarded to one Chester County Academic Competition coach for leading by example and fostering a commitment to excellence and fair play. This year, the award was presented to Brian Johnson of B. Reed Henderson High School.

The honor of Competitor of the Year is awarded to a Chester County Academic Competition participant who has demonstrated exemplary team leadership and outstanding performance. This year’s Howard M. Reinard Jr. Competitor of the Year Award was presented to Sidharth Muthiyattu Sumesh of B. Reed Henderson High School, who was also selected as the team’s MVP.

“It feels great,” said Muthiyattu Sumesh, regarding receiving the Competitor of the Year Award. “Over the last few years, I have seen some of the best quiz bowl players receive this award. I am humbled to receive the same award.”

The Heart of the Team award was proudly presented to Valeria Wakeman of Octorara High School. Wakeman was recognized for consistently demonstrating character, compassion, and camaraderie throughout the academic competition season.
 

When reflecting on the academic competition season, Wakeman said, “I learned about how it's more important to feel connected and have fun and learn new things, instead of just scoring the most points or winning the rounds... Learning together is such a beautiful way for us to connect, and I think literature and math and science are these beautifully universal forms of knowledge and connection and I really hope everyone can find something like that to bring them together.”

The Chester County Academic Competition is facilitated by the CCIU and sponsored by the FMFCU, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), the Children’s Fund of Chester County (CFCC), and CCRES Educational and Behavioral Health Services. The mission of the Chester County Academic Competition is to promote lifelong learning, celebrate academic achievement, and enhance self confidence in high school students as members of a team by providing healthy yet challenging opportunities for students to develop academic, social, and personal skills. To learn more about the Chester County Academic Competition, please visit www.cciu.org/academic-competition.