Liberty students are "LifeSmart"

Proving they have important knowledge to successfully navigate life, Liberty High School's two teams won third and fourth place at the state LifeSmarts competition Feb. 12 at the Wenatchee Conference Center. Billed as the "ultimate consumer challenge," this Jeopardy-style competition tested students' knowledge in five key areas: personal finance, consumer rights and responsibilities, technology, health/safety, and the environment.

The competition is one element of the new LifeSmarts course at Liberty High School taught by Katie Smith. The curriculum highlights consumer issues that will challenge students throughout life. The corresponding state and national competitions are sponsored by the National Consumers League.

Liberty's team that won third place, the Liberty Ninjas (pictured right), included team captain Katie Adams, Anna Culwell, David Hardin, and Brian Keaton.

Liberty's team that won fourth place, the Patriots, included team captain Noelle Durand, Barbara Graham, Kendra Perkins, and Michael Kramer.

"Our students were the most gracious participants," Smith said. "They treated their teammates, opponents, the judges, and volunteers with respect at all times."

Do you think you have LifeSmarts? Try some of these sample questions:

1. Consumer rights
   If a wrist watch can be submerged 80 feet in fresh water or 75 feet in salt water without leaking or losing accuracy, it can be labeled:
   a.  Water proof
   b.  Water tight
   c.  Water resistant
2. Personal finance
   If your car is repossessed, the creditor:
   a.  Can keep any property left in the car
   b.  Must notify you before repossession
   c.  Must notify you of the date the car will be auctioned
3. Safety
   The harshest tornadoes that create the most damage are called:
   a.  Category F1
   b.  Category F10
   c.  Category F5
4. Environment
   Which state generates half of the world's geo-thermal energy?
   a.  California
   b.  Texas
   c.  Florida
5. Technology
   Your cable TV provider offers regular service for a fee. Channels not included in the regular service and for an extra fee are called:
   a.  Private channels
   b.  Premium channels
   c.  Special delivery channels
6. Health
   You suspect your little sister has frostbite. Which of the following should you not do in your efforts to help her?
   a.  Immerse the frozen area in warm water
   b.  Sit her in front of a blazing fire to warm up
   c.  Pop any blisters that have formed as a result of frostbite
7. Environment
   Window products are labeled with a U-value. A lower U-value indicates that the product is:
   a.  Less energy-efficient
   b.  More energy-efficient
   c.  Thicker
8. Health
   Biological contaminants in the home such as mold and mildew can trigger allergic reactions and even asthma for some people. An effective way to reduce biological contaminants in the home is to:
   a.  Keep all windows closed, which keeps the contaminants outside the home
   b.  Use a vacuum cleaner with a water filtering system to clean carpets
   c.  Control the humidity level in the home
9. Consumer rights
   If a person is found guilty of committing a felony, the penalty is:
   a.  More than 1 year in prison
   b.  At least 5 years in prison
   c.  At least 1 year in prison
10. Health
    Of the following fruits, the one highest in vitamin A is:
    a.  Apricot
    b.  Strawberry
    c.  Pineapple
11. Health
    Eighty percent of prostate cancer occurs in men:
    a.  18-27 years old
    b.  35-55 years old
    c.  Over 65 years old

Answers: 1-c, 2-c, 3-c, 4-a, 5-b, 6-b, 7-b, 8-c, 9-a, 10-a, 11-c

Go to www.lifesmarts.org for more information and to continue testing your own LifeSmarts.