Are you smarter than an elementary student?

Better Than Waffles Team from HomeTrust Bank have a laugh when the answer to a question is revealed during last year’s Children First/CIS Are You Smarter Than an Elementary Student? event.

Which country has the largest border with the United States? Who wrote the children’s classic, Charlotte’s Web? If you can answer these questions, then you just might be smarter than an elementary student. 

Attendees can test their general knowledge, impress their friends, family and co-workers, and contribute to a local non-profit at the third annual Children First/Communities In Schools (CF/CIS) “Are You Smarter Than an Elementary Student?” fundraising event on Thursday, April 10 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the A-B Tech Ferguson Auditorium. Each team is paired with a “celebrity” CF/CIS Learning Center student to test their mental acuity on geography, math, history, and more. The questions for the quiz-show event are taken directly from the EOG (End of Grade) test questions for elementary schools.

All of the proceeds will benefit Children First/ Communities In Schools – a nonprofit that serves economically disadvantaged children and their families with after school learning centers, a food pantry, emergency financial assistance, case management, and advocacy.

“The Omni Grove Park Inn is proud to be the presenting sponsor for this year’s event,” says Tracey Johnston-Crum of Omni Grove Park Inn.  “It’s a great opportunity to be a part of a great night of fun and trivia, while helping a local non-profit that makes such a positive impact on our community.” Teams from area business and organizations include LEAF, Omni Grove Park Inn, A-B Tech, French Broad Chocolate Lounge, Asheville Performing Arts Academy, Cathedral of All Souls, United Way and ABYSA Soccer. The grand prize to the winning team will be 6 ultimate zip-lining passes from Navitat Canopy Tours.

The competition is tough this year, as teams vie for the coveted champion title and grand prize, valued at $900. Teams will be graded on the number of questions they answer correctly, but will receive “lifelines” such as asking the audience, taking another team’s answer, or asking a CF/CIS Board member. Teams will also receive extra points based on the number of audience members they bring to cheer them on.  Audience members will have the opportunity to register to win a door prize, 2 spa passes to the Omni Grove Park Inn!

Last year, “The Bad Apples,” a team comprised of Buncombe County school staff, won the event for the second year in a row. Monica Ponder of the Bad Apples says: “As two-year reigning champions of Children First/CIS “Are You Smarter Than an Elementary Student”, Buncombe County Schools is happy to challenge local businesses and organizations to beat our two year winning streak. This event is a great way for us to have fun while supporting a local organization that strives to improve the lives of local children and families.”

Event details:

Children First/Communities In Schools (CF/CIS) “Are You Smarter Than an Elementary Student?” fundraiser. Thursday, April 10 from 6 pm to 8 pm, A-B Tech Ferguson Auditorium. Cost of attendance is $5 or 5 cans of food for the CF/CIS food pantry. Purchase tickets at the door or go to www.childrenfirscistbc.org.

About Children First/Communities In Schools:

Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County is a local non-profit that provides programs to economically disadvantaged children & families. These include: Family Resource Center at Emma, Latino Outreach, Learning Centers, CIS Success Coordinators, Project POWER/AmeriCorps, and advocacy. Children First’s mission is to empower children and their families to reach their full potential through advocacy, education and services. The mission of Communities In Schools is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. To find out more go to www.childrenfirstbc.org.