CAMDEN — For the third time in the past five years, students at Camden Middle School will compete in the N.C. History Bowl State Championship.

Students in eighth-grade teacher John Hill's social studies class left Tuesday morning for Raleigh, where they'll spend today competing in the championship. Administered by the Division of State History Sites, the history bowl tests eighth-graders' knowledge of North Carolina history from pre-colonial times to the present. The championship, which is being held in the N.C. Museum of History, features seven finalist teams from across the state. Camden Middle advanced after winning regional competition in Edenton in February.

"We had a good time working together," said Hill, who also is the team's coach. "I feel like it's a good experience for the kids."

Hill said his students spent weeks practicing by reviewing a list of potential questions. A buzzer helped students adjust to the speed aspect of the competition.

Camden Middle's team consists of Sarah Boolba, Austin Bray, Zack Best, Daniel Kight and Adam Lannon. Another student, Cody Hogge, serves as an assistant coach.