Buzzing with excitement and book talk, 27 high school teams from across Western Pennsylvania gathered at Seton Hill University on March 10, 2025, to compete in the Westmoreland Interscholastic Reading Competition (WIRC)—a fast-paced, trivia-style contest where students test their knowledge on 30 books.
Each team, made up of 8 to 12 students, is responsible for reading and writing questions on the books they select from a shared list. Every team member must read at least four books, and together, they cover all 30 titles. Over the course of the school year, students meet regularly to prepare, eventually going head-to-head in a two-day showdown at Seton Hill University while college students are away for spring break. Norwin High School’s team, Knight Nation, placed 5th this year under the guidance of Norwin High School librarian Ms. Kauffman, who has helped lead the program for two years and has been involved with WIRC for over a decade.
“I think this is probably one of the ones [that stands out] for me because it was my last one…this is like my seventh time doing it,” explained Norwin WIRC senior Liam Murphy. “I think this one kind of stands out because it really was the last one and it felt like [I was competing] with people I’ve [known] for so long. It was like my last time competing with them, you know, so a lot of those conversations with [them]—it feels like forever. I think we’re really memorable.”
For many students, WIRC is about more than just books—it’s about building friendships and having fun during the competition. The unique setup encourages teamwork, quick thinking, and some memorable moments.
“At the competition, there’s one person who will answer for each team so we all try to sit around them,” explained Norwin team member Makenzie Schock. “Sometimes, we have to get up really fast to go run over to the person, and there were a few instances where chairs started moving and stuff.”
Though the list includes 30 books, students only need to read four to join—and they’re free to choose the titles they’re most interested in. That flexibility helps make the competition accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
“It doesn’t have to be that much reading,” said Schock. “I only had to read four books for the entire year for the list. Sure, more is great—but it’s not as intimidating as people might think.”
The reading may bring them in, but students also enjoy the creative side of the club. Some help design team shirts or take part in fun library meetings in the months leading up to the event.
“Just do it,” said WIRC junior member Elizabeth Petteway. “It’s not that hard and you’ll get a little extra reading in, plus the meetings are great. And, I got to make the team T-shirt this year—so you can also do that if you like art.”
Whether it’s the love of books, the thrill of competition, or the fun of working as a team, students find plenty of reasons to come back to WIRC year after year.
WIRC is a chance for students to grow as readers, thinkers, and teammates. With the 2025 competition wrapped up, and memories made, Norwin’s readers are already looking ahead to next year—books open, questions ready, and chairs at the ready.
