H. Frank Carey High School was one of the contenders on the Long Island Challenge television show recently, a game show on Channel 12 where two teams, each composed of four students from a Long Island high school, compete against one another by answering questions on various academic and cultural subjects.

Carey English teacher, Brian Merges, sent an application to the show, requesting that Carey be cast as a contender in one of this year's shows, Carey's finest students rushed to audition. Only four contestant positions and one alternate position existed, but over 40 students yearned for the spots that would allow them their "15 minutes of fame." After three separate testing auditions over a week-long period were run by Merges and math teacher Pasha Lavker, five of Carey's finest, most polished scholars were selected. They were seniors Devjani Das, Bryan Gardner, Christopher Lee and junior Abhay Kumar, and alternate senior Tracy Romano.

"This was one of the most exciting events I've ever been to," said Carey English teacher Brian Merges. "The kids had a tremendous time, and they learned something about the taping of a television show. The contestants showed their deep knowledge and showed that Carey High School is quite an academic institution."

The morning of the taping of the show, 27 Carey students, plus 11 band members and director Joseph Pallotta, seven cheerleaders, one Pirette and parents of the contestants all piled onto two school buses to make their way to Melville, where the show is filmed, to act as a wildly supportive audience.

Enthusiastic audience members included band members Michael Everson, Kelvin Loh and Liz Nervegna, cheerleaers Kristen Alfieri, Caroline Gallagher and Jackie Aquilina, Pirette Jacqueline Kaminsky, and students Amanda Lee, Gina Liotta, Steven Eggart and Danny Sendrowski. Senior Bryan Baebler was majestically transformed into the Seahawk for the event.

When the boisterous group of ambitiously-charged Carey students arrived at the studio, they met their opposition - Mineola High School. Taping of the show began about an hour after the groups settled into their seats and the contestants were instructed of the rules. Before taping, members of both teams and Merges were hustled into the "green room" where instructions were clearly explained and makeup was applied to the contestants. Nerves were frayed at this time.

Meanwhile, once the game began, the Carey's band playing and the cheerleaders' chanting added to the dynamic atmosphere of the studio. Mineola, meanwhile had half the audience and none of the extras. In fact, Carey was the first school in the three-year history of the show to bring a band. The filming lasted an hour and a half and several audience members received prizes after playing games of trivia that were moderated by the production assistants during breaks in the action.

The game itself was intense. All the players put forth their best effort. Question topics ranged from chemistry to show tunes to the US Constitution. It was nip and tuck; Carey led, fell behind, led again, then finally lost, literally, at the buzzer. Mineola came away the victors with a score of 100-90. Although the outcome of the game was not the one desired, the group came away with good sentiments. Plus, the Long Island Challenge people made it clear that they wanted Carey back again. Participants and advisors received complimentary backpacks and warm wishes all around from the Challenge staff, who noted that this was the most competitive game they had ever had.

"Being on the show was an honor that was prestigious on its own. We feel that the students who competed represented Carey well," commented junior Lauren Davis.

Appearing on The Long Island Challenge was a notable experience for Carey High School. The show was broadcast about five weeks after it was taped, and the contestants have revealed that they were "spotted" around town from time to time by well wishers, making them minor celebrities for a time. Many audience members, cheerleaders, the Seahawk and others Carey faithful earned quality "air time" as well. Carey High School looks forward to its next appearance next fall; watch for it.