For EV’s Ngo, knowledge is a team sport

Knowledge isn’t just a passion for Tim Ngo. It’s a competitive sport.

A 4.0 student and a valedictorian of the class of 2015 at East Valley High School, Ngo capped his senior year by helping the Knights win the state Class 2A Knowledge Bowl tournament.

“It’s fun and I’ve enjoyed the competition,” Ngo said. “You can compete in Knowledge Bowl at different levels, but you have to try out to make the varsity team that competes at state.”

A Knowledge Bowl team has six players, with four competing at any one time during the oral competition, which consists of three rounds of 50 questions each. The whole team works together in the 50-question written portion of the competition.

Three teams at a time compete. During oral competition, a question is read aloud and students can ring in at any time with an answer.

The state competition was at Arlington (Washington) High School. East Valley edged Hudson’s Bay (Vancouver) to claim the state title.

“I’m proud that we could bring that home to East Valley,” Ngo said. “I’ve never really been into sports or anything like that. This was my chance to represent my school.”

Ngo’s parents came to the United States in the 1980s from Vietnam, and both Vietnamese and English are spoken at home.

“I think it’s pretty cool that I grew up speaking both languages,” he said. “I’m proud of my heritage and I like that I’ve had that growing up.”

The fact that Vietnamese food has become trendy makes him laugh.

“Everything that has become so hot right now is what my mom has been making for us all my life,” he said. “I love it – it’s my favorite.”

Ngo is busily preparing for graduation. As valedictorian, he’s prepared a speech to deliver to his graduating classmates.

“The topic I’ve been asked to address was awareness,” he said. “I have kind of interpreted it broadly, but I think it’s going to be good.

“What I’m nervous about is speaking in front of that big of a crowd. I’ve only ever spoken in front of a classroom-sized audience. I think it’s all going to be good, but I am a little nervous about it.”

Ngo still hasn’t decided on a college and will make his choice after graduation.

“I know I want to study engineering or physics,” he said. “I’m just not sure where, yet.”