Eastbayri.com

BARRINGTON — The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has certified Barrington High School as the Rhode Island State Champions of the 2011 Reserve Cup Challenge.

A team of Barrington students — Brenden Forte, Stephen Lamontagne, Jack Liang, Matt Groetelaars, and Rahul Chander — bested 10 other Ocean State high school teams and will represent Rhode Island in the Sixth Reserve Cup Challenge at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston on Nov. 22.

The Reserve Cup Challenge is a fast-paced, game-show format program of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston that challenges and rewards teams of students throughout New England for their knowledge of personal finance, economics, and the Federal Reserve system.

The Barrington High School students, coached by business teacher Karen Proule, began round one of the competition on Oct. 26 competing along with 10 other Rhode Island high schools. The Eagles went on to the state finals on Nov. 2, along with four other Rhode Island teams — East Greenwich, Smithfield, Chariho and Tolman.

At the end of regulation, Barrington and East Greenwich were deadlocked, each having answered 9 of 10 questions correctly. Overtime questions were then posed to the two teams until the sixth question broke the tie.

“Winning isn’t everything, but after a couple of years of being so close, it’s gratifying to go all the way, especially in such a dramatic fashion,” said Ms. Proule. “The students were both excited and exhausted after all of the overtime rounds. They are looking forward to representing Rhode Island at the Boston Fed later this month.”

East Greenwich High School coach Patricia Page commended the Barrington team.

“I feel like we just lost game seven of the World Series. East Greenwich students, parents, and faculty should be very proud of our team’s performance. All credit to the Barrington team for their hard-fought victory, and we’ll be in their corner as they compete for the New England finals,” she said.

Jim Hedemark, executive director of the RI Jump$tart Coalition, which promotes the Challenge in Rhode Island, said the state finals were very exciting.

“Six overtimes in a state final is largely unprecedented. I have every confidence that this will be the year that the Reserve Cup is returned to Rhody,” said Mr. Hedemark.

State champion teams from each New England state go on to compete for the “Reserve Cup.” In 2007, a team from North Providence H.S. won the New England Reserve Cup.

Reserve Cup Challenge past New England champions

2006: Essex High School, Vt.

2007: North Providence High School

2008: Burlington High School, Vt.

2009: Belmont High School, Mass.

2010: Kearsarge Regional High School, N.H.