Biology-

Chemistry-Ms. Diane Kane

English-Mr. Justen Lyon

Math-Mr. Paul Schuerman

2020 State Champion

2019 State Champion

Division 1500

2018 5th place

2017 5th place

2016 4th place

2015 4th place

2014 3rd place

2013 3rd place

2012 2nd place

2011 3rd place

2010 5th place

2009 2nd place

2008 State Champion

2007 State Champion

2005 3rd place

Division 700

2004 2nd place

2003 State Champion

2002 2nd place

2001 3rd place

Richmond-Burton has a long-standing tradition of performing well in the J.E.T.S., W.Y.S.E., and now Academic Challenge competitions over the years.

The program, initially run by the University of Illinois/Urbana-Champaign, was designed to allow high school students from around the state of Illinois (and expanding into Missouri) to study and take tests on collegiate-level material in the sciences and English. Each member of the team competes in two different academic areas, chosen from the following: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering Graphics, English, Mathematics, and Physics. The team is open to all high school students interested in preparing and competing. Some students have chosen a major based on their experiences through the Academic Challenge. The program has been taken over by Eastern Illinois University and they have hosted the competition since 2019.

RB has won state five times and is always vying for that position. The divisions are based on enrollment and RB is now in Division 700 (schools with an enrollment of 301-700) after being in the higher division for many years. The team's focus and goal are still the same--to return to the state competition and bring home the state team trophy!

WYSE (Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering) is an academic competition formerly sponsored through the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign. The Academic Challenge is a competitive series of tests created and administered by Eastern Illinois University now and are offered to high school students in Illinois and Missouri. The tests are now offered by more than 50 community colleges and universities are are designed to present a challenge to the brightest students.

Test material is drawn from senior high school and freshman level curricula. Written by teams of college university faculty, the subjects include biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering graphics, English, mathematics, and physics. Tests vary in length from 30 to 80 questions depending on the subject and students are given 40 minutes to complete each multiple-choice test. Each student competes in two of those subjects and practices throughout the year to prepare for the competitions.

The regional competition is usually the end of January/beginning of February. Students and teams that advance from Regional competition will compete in March at the Sectional competition. Again students can advance to one more level of competition at State in April.

RB's Academic Challenge Team has established a dedication to excellence as they have advanced to state many years and have five Team championships and several individual championships.