Lehighton Area High School defeated Palmerton and Panther Valley in the finals of the 2026 Carbon County Academic Competition on Friday.

Following 10 morning matches, the top three schools competed for the title in Palmerton’s high school gymnasium in front of state Rep. Doyle Heffley, who served as quizmaster.

For Lehighton team captain Adam Danner, Friday’s victory carried special meaning.

“This is my first year being team captain,” he said. “It felt good to win. I’m really proud of how our team did and our members.”

Geography and science proved to be Lehighton’s strongest subjects on the day. “I particularly am strongest with geography — that’s actually what won us the lightning round,” Danner said. “But there were also other topics, mostly science, that I feel like our team knew better than some of the other teams that allowed us to get the edge.”

The team’s preparation extended well beyond the classroom. In addition to in-school practices, Danner said the team regularly competed in virtual matches against schools from across the region.

“We usually practice through that because that helps us get ready with the buzzing-in format and the speed-type answers,” he said.

Palmerton teacher and competition adviser Alex Knoll has hosted the event for three consecutive years since reviving it after a COVID-era hiatus. Knoll said the competition fills a void that traditional school events often overlook.

“It’s great to showcase our kids’ other abilities other than athletics,” Knoll said. “Athletics are important, but their academic, theater, drama and musical talents are just as important. This event really showcases the best of the best of the county and gives kids with similar interests in academic pursuits and trivia a forum to compete.”

Questions were drawn from the Intermediate Unit, the same source used for other regional academic competitions, to ensure consistency across schools. Knoll said all five schools met the challenge.

“All the kids stepped up to the task of some difficult questions and did a really nice job,” he said.

For Danner, the day was about more than the trophy.

“Although it’s a little stressful sometimes, it’s really rewarding afterwards,” he said. “You learn a lot of trivia and stuff like that, and it kind of establishes that sense of team.”