Following their first-round victory, the academic team from John F. Kennedy High School is moving on to Round 2 of "The Challenge," an academic quiz show designed to test students' knowledge in a Jeopardy-style format.

The second round match-up between all star student scholars from John F. Kennedy High School and H. Frank Carey High School will air on Sunday, March 21, at 6:30 p.m. on MSG Varsity (Cablevision's iO TV – Channel 14). The Challenge also repeats on News 12 Connecticut on Saturday and Sunday evenings at 6:30  and 9:30 p.m. 

"The excitement is building as we move into the second round of The Challenge," notes Theresa Chillianis, MSG Varsity's General Manager. "All of the students have done a fantastic job honing their skills and we look forward to these upcoming matches. This is a great time to tune in and cheer on some of the region's most academically talented students as they vie for a spot in the Tri-State Challenge Championship in June."

Representing John F. Kennedy High School will be Ian Gray, Alex Mendelson (team captain), Jeremy Roberts, Laura Serbin (team alternate) and Matt Stern. The academic advisors are Madeline Donahoe and Barbi Frank. 

Ian Gray is a two-time National Spanish Exam Gold Medalist (plus one Silver Medal), a member of the National Spanish Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (chapter of National Math Honor Society) and an AP Scholar (having received a score of 3 or higher on at least three AP tests). Alex Mendelson is a member of the Honors Society and Spanish Honors Society. Jeremy Roberts is captain of Cross Country and Track Teams, Division General Board in Chazak USY, a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Science Honor Society. Matt Stern is an All State tuba player, valedictorian, National Merit Semifinalist and an AP Schoalr with Honor. Laura Serbin is a member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society and Science Honor Society and a Nation Merit Semifinalist. All five teens are seniors at Kennedy. For more information about them, visit their team page.

The Challenge began as a Long Island effort 13 years ago and now includes the entire tri-state area — Long Island (with Nassau and Suffolk as two distinct regions), the Bronx, Brooklyn, Westchester/Lower Hudson Valley, New Jersey and Connecticut. This season 184 high schools will be participating with the goal of becoming the Tri-State Challenge Champion and winning $10,000 for their school and $500 for each team member competing in that final round.

Jared Cotter, a popular semi-finalist from "American Idol", serves as moderator, quizzing competing high school teams on their knowledge of history, arts and literature, current events, math and science.

Fans of the show can visit a dedicated page on Facebook that provides a behind-the-scenes look at the actual studio tapings and offers visitors a chance to sound off, share their experiences and cheer on their high school team. 

The Challenge is produced in partnership with Cablevision's education initiative, Power to Learn – the company's ongoing commitment to the development and learning of students in the tri-state area. The show has received a Beacon Award – the industry's highest award for public affairs excellence – as well as a New England Cable & Telecommunications (NECTA) Award for Public Service and Excellence in Cable Television.