Streetsboro High School’s Quiz Bowl team is set to compete on the locally broadcast Academic Challenge show at WEWS Channel 5 in Cleveland on Wednesday, Oct. 29.The team will face off against Firelands Local Schools and Kirtland Local Schools showcasing their knowledge, speed, and teamwork on a local stage. The exact air date and time of the episode have not yet been announced.
The district invites community members to come and cheer on the students as they showcase their knowledge and teamwork on a local stage. Because seating is limited, those interested in attending should contact advisor Lori Thomson.
The Quiz Bowl team, led by fourth-year coach Lori Thomson, practices weekly after school starting in September and competes through early March. The season includes six to seven matches against other area schools. Their season culminates in a daytime tournament at the start of March, where teams compete for awards and recognition. This year’s Quiz Bowl team includes five returning students and two new members. Ali Gigax, Hazel Schoenherr, and Theresa Steinbrick will represent the district on the show, with Ali Scott and Alice King attending as alternates.
In traditional Quiz Bowl matches, two teams of four compete using buzzers. Moderators read detailed questions that cover subjects ranging from math and literature to music and history. Questions often start with more obscure clues and gradually provide easier hints. This allows teams to answer earlier if they recognize the topic, earning more points for doing so. Teams earn points for correct answers and bonus questions, and students learn not just facts but strategy, listening skills, and teamwork. If a team buzzes in and answers incorrectly before the moderator finishes the question, points are deducted; if they answer incorrectly after the question is completed, no points are lost.
The Academic Challenge show differs from standard Quiz Bowl matches, with shorter questions, a faster pace, and a unique scoring system. Each episode features five rounds, each with its own structure. In the Lightning Round, all three teams compete on themed questions, earning points for correct answers and losing points for incorrect responses. The Hot Pick Round and Mix It Up Round give each team a set of questions, with opportunities for bonus points and no penalties for wrong answers. The Picture-Perfect Round includes visual questions for all teams, with points gained or lost depending on accuracy. The final Grab Bag Round is a free-for-all, with higher point values and deductions for wrong or missed answers. The team with the highest point total wins the episode, and the three top-scoring teams across all episodes advance to the season championship.
Thomson said being on the Quiz Bowl team challenges students to think fast and work together. “Students must think quickly under pressure, make strategic decisions about when to buzz in, and collaborate effectively with their teammates,” Thomson said. “It’s a combination of strategy, careful listening, and applying the knowledge they’ve worked hard to build.”
By participating in both local Quiz Bowl matches and the televised Academic Challenge, Streetsboro students have the opportunity to showcase their talents, engage with peers, and celebrate their hard work. The district looks forward to cheering on its Quiz Bowl team both on the show and throughout their regular season.
Photo caption: 2024-25 Streetsboro High School Quiz Bowl team