Whiz kids descend on Centre
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
There was a different kind of competition Saturday at Centre High School. About 16 quiz bowl teams from across the state, each a regional winner, gathered to compete against each other for the honor of winning the IA State Scholars' Bowl championship.
The event was sponsored by the Kansas State High School Activities Association(KSHAA). It was coordinated by CHS athletic director Bud Peterson and instructor Chad Tischhauser.
At least 150 people attended, including team alternates, sponsors, relatives, and friends.
The teams were introduced at an opening ceremony, and a boys' honor choir from Centre Elementary School provided special music.
Four quizzing sites were set up throughout the school. Each site required a timekeeper, official scorekeeper, board scorekeeper, moderator, and three judges.
Tischhauser estimated at least 40 students, staff, and community members were involved in putting on the event. Official scholars' bowl T-shirts were sold, and a hospitality room and concessions were available.
Official charts were posted to keep track of scores from each contest.
The four-member teams were divided into two pools of eight teams each. Moderators asked 16 questions in subjects ranging from foreign language, language arts, science and health, and social science to mathematics, fine arts, and current events.
Many contests were low-scoring because the questions generally were tough and many could not be answered or were not answered correctly.
Bucklin, Fowler, Tribune, and Sharon Springs emerged from pool play to compete in the semi-finals. The semi-finals and finals were conducted in the high school gymnasium, with the teams and judges seated on the stage.
Bucklin won the championship, and Tribune took second place. The three top teams received plaques.
"It was an honor for the district to be asked to host this KSHSAA event," said superintendent Bob Kiblinger. "It ran very smoothly because of good planning and a good quantity of quality helpers."
