Introduction
On a school day early in September 1963, about two dozen Hicksville High seniors were summoned to a meeting. We were seated in a semi-circle of student desks, all facing a pair of chairs, in which sat two adults whom we did not know. More than a half century later, my memory is imperfect, but I believe that also present in the room, standing, were Principal Leon Galloway, Vice-Principal Raymond Rusch, a smattering of faculty members, and a few other strangers. I think that Mr. Galloway opened the meeting.
He explained that WNBC TV was about to launch a program in which high schools in Greater New York would compete against each other, represented by panels of students. The meeting had been called to select the students who would represent Hicksville High. The visitors seated in front of us were from the production company of the show, which was called “It’s Academic.”
For the next 90 minutes or so, they peppered us with questions about history, science, literature, the arts, politics, etc. Most questions focused on only one of those subjects, but some involved knowledge of more than one. We were to raise our hands as soon as we were confident of our answer, but to give an answer only if asked. When the questions stopped, we were thanked and politely dismissed.
