After a one-year hiatus, the Quiz Bowl Knowledge Bowl (QBKB) Team resumed practices this year. Twelve students, from freshmen to one senior, joined the team this year, with only one student having competed before.
In QBKB, students form teams of up to five participants. This team works together to answer a written test and then compete in four to five oral rounds. Oral rounds are comprised of rooms with three teams in each, stationed at buzzer strips and poised to answer as many of the 45 questions—which are read aloud—as possible. This competition relies not only on fast buzzing skill and academic knowledge, but also the ability to anticipate what the question
will ask, quick deductive reasoning and problem-solving skills, and teamwork and clear communication.
This year, MLHS formed three teams for each of the four conference meets hosted by Kimball, Eden Valley-Watkins, Holdingford, and ourselves. Two of the schools in our conference ranked in the top five for state last year, so it was a challenging season, but the Mayer Lutheran students always came with their smiles and great attitudes.
March 15th was the Regional Knowledge Bowl Competition hosted at North Branch High School. At this meet, 47 teams competed in one written round and 5 oral rounds. During each round, teams are assigned to a numbered room depending on
their overall score, with Room 1 being the top room and Room 16 the bottom. The competition was stiff, but our teams avoided the bottom room to rank 42nd and 44th overall. While we are unable to move on to the state tournament, we concluded our season with a friendly round against the faculty and staff on Friday, March 25. And with donuts!