Hillsboro High School scholars' bowl team knows its stuff
What Tennessee Williams play tells of the decline and tragic end of Blanche DuBoois? What is the order of mammals which contains humans? In the 1860 presidential election, what political party did John Bell, who lost to Lincoln, represent? These questions are examples of those that might be asked at scholars' bowl competitions.
Try to answer them correctly within 10 seconds, under pressure, in a room of mostly strangers — that's what scholars' bowl team members face in their competitions.
Hillsboro High School's scholars' bowl team began competing this school year by winning three first-places and placing third in class 3A at the High Q competition in Topeka. The team won first at Hesston, McPherson, and Sterling.
A scholars' bowl team consists of four members and an alternate. The team competes against four other students from other schools in academic competition.
Nancy Thomas, extended learning facilitator for Marion County Special Education Cooperative, has coached the team for approximately four years. She also coaches the middle school team.
"All a student has to do to become a member of scholars' bowl is show up and be serious," Thomas said. "We try to treat it like a team sport."
Of course, members of the team also have to be quick thinkers with quick reflexes.
Scholars' bowl activities fall under the auspices of Kansas State High School Activities Association. KSHSAA defines the competition as "an academic contest in which subject matter of at least three of the five academic disciplines required by the State Board of Education for high school graduation are used for competition."
A scholars' bowl activity is "head-to-head academic team competition, quick response answers, time limits on questions, and the use of recognition systems by participants." KSHSAA recommends questions in language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, and physical education/health.
The scholars' bowl team at HHS practices each Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
"I'm only in Hillsboro on Thursdays," said Thomas. "We review questions and information during the hour we have available."
Team members also practice on their own. Sometimes they get together at each others' homes during the week or on weekends to practice. They also claim that watching Jeopardy is good practice.
"It's fun to compete academically to test your intellectual ability," said junior Robert Jost, who has competed for six years including middle school.
"It's fun to apply your knowledge in a game format," added junior Meredith Kliewer, who is a second-year member. "We have to take it seriously but yet have fun."
The students also said that paying attention in classes and retaining knowledge from classes were a plus when competing.
"One thing I have discovered about scholars' bowl members is they all are readers," Thomas said.
Not only does the competition require mental skill, it also requires physical skill and coordination. Members must be able to quickly hit the buzzer to answer a question.
"It's fun to apply your knowledge under stress," said junior Jacque Fisher. "You can't be afraid and you have to be resilient."
More than 90 schools competed Dec. 4 in the High Q contest at Washburn University. The Hillsboro team of Robert Jost, Kelsey Kaufman, Victor Rogers, and Greta Kliewer, finished No. 18 overall and third in class 3A. They also received a trophy. The top 16 teams advanced to the finals.
"We try to get everyone to at least one meet," said Thomas. "We've placed first three times with different kids except for Robert and Greta."
Categories for meets usually include math, language arts, literature, social science, fine arts, science, or foreign language. There might be sports and miscellaneous categories.
Sometimes a team has that one member who is an expert in a particular subject and that is good. However, whatever the circumstances, the competition is a team effort.
"I explain the team concept as a triangle," Thomas said. "One angle might larger than the others but it takes three angles to make a triangle. It takes a team to compete in scholars' bowl."
The consensus of team members is that scholars' bowl competitors can't be afraid to make a mistake. They have to have willingness and confidence to buzz in with an answer.
They also agree that academic competition helps build self-confidence and self-esteem.
"Knowing the answer is part of competition," Jost said. "The other part is being able to deduce what an answer might be — making an educated guess — and buzzing in before the other team."
Team members also hope that, along with fun, medals, learning experience, and gaining knowledge, scholars' bowl competition will be a resume' builder.
HHS scholars' bowl team competed Dec. 9 at Junction City but did not make it out of pool play.
Their next competition will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Hillsboro Middle School. The public is invited and fan club T-shirts are available to purchase.
Hillsboro will host regionals Feb. 3. Their goal is to go to state.
The answers to the questions at the beginning of this article are "A Streetcar Named Desire," primates, and Constitutional Union.
