With only one week remaining before the big showdown, all of the scholars are on edge. That is, all of the scholars except for Melissa, Scot, Milana and Liz who have all secured their position in the final. Let’s take a look at the prospects of the remaining scholars getting into the final.

Alyssa- She has not earned her way into an admissions showdown yet, and often has a problem wearing her emotions on her sleeve. If she pulls herself together it is hard to believe that she won’t be given a shot out of pity.

Amari- Amari has been in the Admissions showdown twice, both times receiving the bye from the admission committee. While she has not proven herself to be the strongest leader, Amari has time and again proved herself to be an excellent contributor.

Davis- Clearly the cockiest of all of the competitors he is also one of the sharpest. His abrasive personality has kept him out of the favor of the admission committee, but his competitive edge has led him to the Admissions Showdown as a leader twice, giving him the best rack record to make this third time his charm.

Gerald- Although he is a varsity mascot, Gerald has allowed himself to fall into mild obscurity. Yet, his noble presence has never been the source of adversity and amongst other more vocal personalities, his simplicity may have the chance to shine.

Jeremy- Being potentially the most emotionally invested contestant has allowed Jeremy to be viewed by the admission committee as being the most honorable contestant, yet his honor may force him to fall on his own sword when it counts.

Max- The self-proclaimed ladies’ man has moved his game from the ladies to his studies. Yet, he has not achieved any particularly impressive results in any given challenge. With a weaker track record, an improved performance may be more easily detected by the admissions committee.

So now that you have an idea of the positions that the remaining contestants are in let head to the captain’s quiz.

Captain’s Quiz

As a first, the four contestants who have already won a place in the finals are asked to step aside so that only those students to whom the win matters most will compete. The remaining six are asked t complete a matching quiz consisting of quotes from the bill of rights.
As ahs become somewhat cliché, Davis is overly confident and is sure that he is going to win a position as captain because he knows more about the constitution than any of the other scholars. While other times, Davis has fallen, (see: Margaret Mitchell) this time he turned in a perfect score, and will be one of the captains. Joining him, in somewhat of a surprise, is Amari who got 8 correct in the fastest time.

Now it is time for the first ever (…and probably last ever) Scholar Field trip!

As the scholars are taken on a tour of the Reagan library, everyone is impressed with the presidential stature and allure they are surrounded by. Davis reiterates his goal of becoming president and more importantly points out that if his team doe not win this challenge that he is probably done for. Thus a lot of weight falls on what the challenge will be and the team selections that are made right now.

Team Challenge

All of the skills of a reality show contestant are going to be put to the test as the scholars will have to bicker and argue in a genuine debate. The Topic, Legalization of gay marriage, and the Gold team has been assigned PRO while the red team will be covering CON. With one hour to prepare and the resources of the library at their fingertips the scholars have their work cut out for them. They will be judged by Gordon Stables, the USC debate coach, and Tim Biblarz, a professor of Sociology.

I’m not even going to waste time recapping their preparation. Both teams worked well together, Davis’ team was very confident and Amari’s team was freaking about having to defend a position that was against ever fiber in their body (at least as Jeremy put it).

It’s debate time and while you maybe be hoping to hear some kind of revolutionary argument that you have never heard before for the talented youth of our nation, this time that is not going to happen. The Gold team praises the need for equal rights for minority groups and establishes that homosexuals as a minority group should be given the same protections and privileges afforded to all other citizens. The Red team rebuts stating that Marriage is a religious institution that celebrates the sanctity of a relationship between man and woman and using the constitution to change that would be denying the moral fabric that the constitution itself was created from. Yes, folks this issue is apparently that black and white. So, black and white that a slate at the commercial break stated “the views expressed on The Scholar do not represent the views of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.” This one-second blip was one of the highlights of the episode for me.

Now for the decision. While all of the scholars were very skilled at bringing across their respective points, both the judges agreed that the Gold team did a better job giving them the win, and Davis his third earned slot in the Admissions Showdown. Everyone else will have to wait for the list.

After the cursory round of interviews, the list is posted, and no one’s name is on it. Instead a message notifies all of the scholars not yet in the finals to study the topic of American presidents. So with everyone in panic mode, everyone is worried that Davis is a shoe in due to his all-expansive history knowledge (who is this kid, Ken Jennings?). Regardless, after hours of studying, three of these kids will be left out in the cold with nothing but video memories of their sad failure on the Scholar (and about 50 scholarships being offered from schools viewing the show).

Who’s in, who’s out? Joining Davis will be Amari and Alyssa. This crushes Jeremy, who fights his hardest to hold back the tears welling up in his eyes. Tears aside, congratulations to all of the Scholars who have competed on this show win or lose as they are trying their best to succeed in the realm of academia, a noble pursuit in today’s society.

Admissions Showdown

Game on.

Amari- 3rd President Jefferson
Davis- 5th President Monroe
Alyssa- 7th President Jackson
Amari- 1st V.P, Adams
Yada, yada, yada… The scholars do fine in the memorization test, but begin to falter on the harder questions.

Setting the drama:
What 2 presidents were assassinated in the 20th Century? Almost instantly, the answers of Lincoln and Garfield are given. Now at first glance, the answers may appear to be correct, but in hindsight, you might realize Lincoln was president in the 1800’s and therefore was assassinated in the 19th century whereas the question refers to the 20th. Now this might just be viewed as a simple mistake, yet this mistake was made by Davis, eliminating him from all contention on The Scholar. Worse yet, Rob Nelson forced him to confirm his answer a la millionaire. Davis swears that he heard 19th century, but unfortunately that doesn’t matter. (Correct Answers: Kennedy, McKinley)

That leaves Amari and Alyssa and Alyssa is up next.

What president won a Nobel peace prize in 1906 for his work during the Russo-Japanese war? Now, this is a situation where the Jeopardy rule can bite you in the bottom. Alyssa knew it was a Roosevelt but she wasn’t sure which one. Instead of trying to sneak Roosevelt trough as an answer she added Franklin and paid the price. Teddy would have gotten her through one more round, but if she had just said Roosevelt, who knows, maybe she would have gotten away with it?

That makes is match point Amari. Here is the question
What President was sworn in in 1923 by his father? Working methodically through the years, Amari came to the answer of Coolidge… and walked away with $50,000.

So the field is set. Melissa, Scot, Milana, Liz and Amari will be battling it out head to head for the full ride $240,000 scholarship. Don’t feel bad for Alyssa, Davis, Gerald, Max, and Jeremy though. In addition to all of the other prizes they have won, all the scholars were awarded the Intel Centrino computers they have been working with all series. So until next week, put your thinking caps on and prepare for the ultimate brawl of the brains.