By Kathryn Schiliro
Managing Editor

Fifth grade-level knowledge of local celebrities will be tested come Nov. 13.
The Madison-Morgan Chamber of Commerce’s Partners in Education (PIE) program is set to host a county-wide version of Jeff Foxworthy's popular show “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?” on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at Madison First United Methodist Church’s Wesley Building.
Three out of 30 of Morgan County's most knowledgable fifth graders–judged so by their scores on a grade-level curriculum test–will be pitted against three local celebrities.
There will be three shows, each one lasting 20-30 minutes, with 10 questions a piece. Jimmy Stokes will emcee the event. The names of three local celebrities and three fifth graders will be drawn at random at the show, so all 30 students and all invited local celebrities will be in attendance.
Among the local celebrities participating: Kathleen Bryant, Erin Spinks, Andy Ainslie, Bruce Gilbert, Stan DeJarnett, Pat Stokes, Bob Monk, Jeffrey Rowser, Ellen Warren, Bill Malone, Chris Sides and Steve Schaefer.
To make the Morgan show similar to Foxworthy's, high school technology students in Jennifer Butler's class are rigging up presentations with each of the questions to be flashed on screens live at the event. In addition, four businesses have bought "ad space" and the class is set to create ads for them to broadcast during breaks.
The high school's culinary arts class is also getting involved. Because this is a PIE event, the class will be serving slices of pie for $1 each at intermission. More than 30 pies for the event are being home-made by teachers, staff and the class.
Some of the high school's International Baccalaureate students will also chip in by selling tickets, helping to serve and cleaning up.
Tickets for the big show are $5 each and are on sale now at the Morgan County Library and the Chamber of Commerce. You can also buy them at the door. Funds received will go toward wish lists at each of the county's schools.

Printed in the November 1, 2012 edition.