The 2011-12 DuPage County Academic Team gathers at College of DuPage. From left: Emily Riederer, Naperville North High School; Adam Alfredo Ball, Glenbard North High School; Mia Frasca, Wheaton Warrenville South High School; Ashvin Rai, Neuqua Valley High School; Katherine McDonnell, St. Francis High School; David Birkenheier, Naperville Central High School and Amy Hummel, Wheaton North High School. Not pictured: Mohammed S. Fahad, College Preparatory School of America; Rebecca Lewis, Hinsdale Central High School; Zamaan Sohel, Lake Park High School.

Daniel White | Staff Photographer

The 2011-12 Fox Valley Academic Team outside the Daily Herald's Elgin office. Front row, from left: Connor Flexman, Elgin Academy; James Bartusek, Geneva High School; Michael Fitzpatrick, Marian Central Catholic High School; Alex Whitaker, Cary-Grove High School; Ryan Wyllie, Geneva High School. Bow row, from left: Anna Gawlik, St. Charles North High School; Alexandra Tarr, (Burlington) Central High School; Allison Dianis, Harry D. Jacobs High School; Madeline Bartot, Huntley High School; and Elisah Vanden Bussche, Harry D. Jacobs High School.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

The 2011-12 Lake County Academic Team outside the Daily Herald's Libertyville office. Back row, from left: Lissa Mandell, Lake Zurich High School; David Bouma, Grant Community High School; Jonathan Kersky, Adlai E. Stevenson High School; Patrick Juras, Lake Zurich High School. Middle row, from left: Elizabeth Ulanday, Libertyville High School; Nicole Schmidt, Mundelein High School; Ingrid Watts, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart; Hannah Kay, Adlai E. Stevenson High School. In front, Soledad Mendoza, Round Lake High School. Not pictured: Jenna Westerberg, Warren Township High School.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer