After 16 years in a TV newsroom, Wayne Faligowski wanted a change of pace. Setting off on his own in 1993, he undertook one of the most daunting tasks anyone can face in broadcasting: to create a TV series. Create it he did, starting from scratch and the result was an academic competition called High Five Challenge.

He secured major sponsors, recruited high school teams, convinced KPTV to air it and generally acted as a one-man band -- producer, host, sales manager and talent coordinator.  Years later he's survived the bankruptcy of his title sponsor, faced lean times, yet keeps moving ahead. He's turned it from a Portland metro area show to a regional contest between high schools from across Oregon and Washington.  High Five, now sponsored by Hollywood Video, also airs in Seattle and Eugene. He now has a staff of professional directors and producers.  Now in its 16^th season, he has added Jeremiah Stroup as co-host and announcer. 

Faligowski’s goal was to do something good for teenagers, because he is a father himself. He feels he's attained what he set out to do. Through competing in the series, he says, "Good kids have gained their 15 minutes of TV fame in a positive way."  Each week two teams of six players test their memories in a round-robin tournament, attempting to answer brainy questions on topics such as American History, Geography, Anatomy and the miscellaneous category Potpourri.

In 2001, Faligowski created the High Five Foundation, based in Tualatin, Oregon, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  The High Five Foundation embraces a unique opportunity to underwrite the High Five Challenge TV Game Show.  Additionally, the Foundation focuses a significant portion of its resources on developing and supporting programs/partnerships that promote educational opportunities for today’s youth, through innovative partnerships, programs and special events, along with support from corporate and individual donations.