Ever felt like putting your knowledge to the test? If so, Quiz Bowl may be the club for you! Quiz Bowl is an intensive game in which two teams compete head-on to answer questions of various topics. Quiz Bowl appears like a trivia game because of the very trivial questions asked. Topics range from areas in literature, history, science, fine arts, current events, sports, and popular culture. Quiz Bowl teams consist of five active players and any number of substitution players. The defining feature that makes Quiz Bowl known is its use of a buzzer system. Competitors are allowed to buzz in and answer a question before the question is even finished being read, this creates tension and feeling of anticipation. The gameplay is simple, the mediators will throw out “toss up” questions, questions that either team can buzz in and answer. If one team successfully answers the question, their team will receive a bonus question where they can answer it without fear of the other team buzzing in. If the team fails to answer their bonus question, the other team has the opportunity to “steal” and gain a few points if they answer that question correctly. Quiz Bowl is a team sport where players can collaborate with each other. Just being fantastic in one subject doesn’t mean you have the upper hand, it’s important to trust in your teammates since the subjects differ so greatly.

The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush Quiz Bowl team debuted this year under pre-calculus/calculus/physics teacher Mr. Goulet’s and English II teacher Ms. Kate’s guidance. The members include Jesheidi LaPorte, Gustavo Menezes, Chalante Thompson, Emily Reynolds, Erika Rivera, Anna Zytchkova, Tara Feenan, Matt Horan, Kailynn Principe, Fateen Stafford, and Shiajia Mitchell. As of now, the school’s team has competed in one large tournament facing against other schools and placed high. Player Matt Horan placed 7th out of 116 at the most recent tournament and Tara Feenan placed 2nd.

Player Matt Horan was interviewed due to his spectacular participation in order to make our understanding of Quiz Bowl more concrete. Horan joined the team “after a study session” with his physics teacher, as well as one of the two Quiz Bowl advisors, Mr. Goulet, and from there on out “it’s been a great time.” Although the questions are “random” in Quiz Bowl, according to Horan, “we often get asked a lot more history, art, and music based questions more than anything, that’s just how it works out.” Of course, like any competing team, practice is needed before tournaments. Practice sessions look “exactly like real games, with the entire Quiz Bowl team split into two and answering questions,” according to Horan. Horan stated that if there are players who have an interest in playing Quiz Bowl, but fear they wouldn’t be good enough, then they “should believe in themselves because the topics are so broad [they’re] bound to know something!”

Recently, as a school wide event, the Quiz Bowl team decided to take on their fiercest competitors yet, their very own teachers. With a powerhouse team made up of masters in their own subjects, the tension was high. Literature teachers Mr. Feldman and Mr. Bavaro led the team when it came to literature/current event based questions. Spanish teacher Ms. Loinaz specialized in history, particularly Spanish history. Physical Education teacher Mr. Corabi was undeniably the most knowledgeable when sports or the human body came up. Physics teacher and choir accompanist Mr. Dyson’s range of knowledge was the most impressive with his appreciation in science and music. Finally, our school newspaper’s very own editor in chief, as well as our Media and graphic design teacher, Mr. Mazza carried the team on his shoulders whenever an art or computer related question was brought up. Although, the Rush Arts Quiz Bowl team competed hard, the teachers overpowered their students in a close game with back and forth steals and point advancements.