The academic team from Garden City High School has beaten the competition thus far and will now compete in Round 3 of The Challenge, facing off against the team from Friends Academy. The match airs May 9 at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., exclusively on News 12 and is available on demand on Cablevision channel 612 through News 12 Interactive. Pictured during a break in taping are (from left): Kevin O'Hagan (academic advisor), Thomas Elustondo, Elizabeth DeBold (team captain), host Scott Feldman, Michael Abatemarco, Sarah D'Antonio and Peter Cohn (team alternate). Continuing their phenomenal winning streak in Round 2, the academic team from Garden City High School is moving on to the third round of Cablevision's The Challenge, an academic quiz show designed to test students' knowledge in a Jeopardy-style format. The third-round match-up between Garden City High School and Friends Academy will air exclusively on News 12 Long Island at 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm on Saturday, May 9.

The Challenge, hosted by News 12 Long Island anchor Scott Feldman, can also be viewed anytime through the convenience of video on demand (VOD) through News s12 Interactive, located on iO TV channel 612, or by going to www.powertolearn.com and clicking on The Challenge. Fans of the show can now also visit a dedicated page on Facebook that provides a behind-the-scenes look at the actual studio tapings and offers visitors a chance to sound off, share their experiences and cheer on their high school team.

"The teams are tougher and the stakes are higher in the third round of The Challenge," said Trent Anderson, Cablevision's Vice President of Education. "All the students have done a fantastic job of maintaining their 'collective cool' when the pressure is on - and it's only increasing. We wish Garden City High School and Friends Academy good luck in Round 3. From here on in, it's anyone's game to win."

Representing Garden City High School are Michael Abatemarco, Peter Cohn (team alternate), Sarah D'Antonio, Elizabeth DeBold (team captain) and Thomas Elustondo. Academic advisor is Kevin O'Hagan.

As this season of The Challenge progresses, schools will vie each week to continue on in the competition, which ultimately results in the best teams from each region facing off against each other next spring. Regional champions will then compete for the ultimate title, Tri-State Challenge Champion. The winning team in each region will receive $2,500 and go on to compete for $10,000 in the Tri-State Championship. Each student participating in the championship match will receive $500.