CSC cancels Scholastic Contest due to COVID concerns
CHADRON – The Chadron State College Scholastic Contest committee announced March 23 that the annual event, scheduled for April 17, has been canceled due to recommendations related to attempts to prevent the spread COVID-19. These included high school closures and the closure of the CSC campus to the public.
Co-chair of the Scholastic Contest committee Dr. Jamie Hamaker said that while the committee considered various alternate options, health and safety was the deciding factor to cancel.
“We recognize that this may be a disappointment, however, we look forward to seeing students at the 2021 Scholastic Contest,” Hamaker said.
In 2018, the event went forward in spite of a snowstorm, which resulted in a low turnout. In 2019, the contest was postponed from April to May, which resulted in about half the normal number of participants.
The contest started in 1961, drew 850 students from 41 schools, and has not been canceled before. Attendance peaked with 2,643 students competing from 78 schools in three states in 1992. In 2010, Chadron’s mayor proclaimed April 9 Scholastic Contest Day in honor of the 50th annual event.
According to Con Marshall, the event was started after Ross Armstrong, long-time coach, athletic director and dean of men at CSC, had been at Kearney State for a track meet when that institution had its scholastic contest. When he saw how many students it brought to the Kearney campus, he told the Chadron State president, Dr. Barton Kline, and it was decided that CSC should begin a scholastic contest.
Each senior who places first in a category earns a one-year tuition waiver to CSC. The top school in each of the five divisions receives a plaque and the top three students in each test receive medals. Those finishing in the top 25 percent of each test receive certificates of merit.
Category: Campus Events, Campus News