There are many sports at Utica, such as football, soccer, swimming, hockey,etc. There are also many clubs, such as French, Humanities, Debate, Key Club, etc. One of the many unknown clubs is Quiz Bowl.
Quiz Bowl is when two competing teams go head-to-head answering various questions. The topics can vary from history to pop culture.
“It can be hard studying on your own for quiz bowl seeing how it’s over so many topics.” Quiz Bowl coach Holly Yucha said. “The best way to do it though is to look up various questions from each topics.”
The history of the Quiz Bowl at Utica High School is short. The club began one year before the Coronavirus started and just began again last year, three years after the Coronavirus slowed. Yucha was excited to pick up the Quiz Bowl coaching positions and get a change of pace from her normal day-to-day as an Economics teacher.
“I wanted to work with the best students in the school. And I love my Quiz Bowl students,” Yucha said. “It is great to see other sides of students than just how they are in econ. I enjoy seeing students exceed outside of subjects they’re comfortable with.”
Some students may be a little hesitant to join the Quiz Bowl team because they’re scared to give the wrong answer, “Some students are scared to join because they’re afraid to answer wrong and ruin the game or some students are just scared to hit the buzzer. Everyone on the team is kind and understanding and we’re not too competitive we won’t get mad at someone if they get some questions wrong.” Yucha said. “We want students who are very knowledgeable and confident sometimes you have to take the risk and be wrong.”
If you’re looking to build your resume for college applications Quiz Bowl would be a great extracurricular
“Being in Quiz Bowl shows colleges characteristics about yourself,” Yucha said, “like that you’re smart competitive, and a dedicated student,”
The strategies and tactics you learn in Quiz Bowl can be helpful throughout all parts of life. You’re put with a group of people you must work well with, so teamwork is learned. You learn various facts.
“You get to practice interactions with people. Another thing you learn is how to answer questions quickly in a stressful scenario,” senior Grayson Pawli said.
This year the quiz bowl team has a score of five out of eight games won. The team is sure to keep winning this season and will secure the Quiz Bowl trophy again this year like they did last year. If you want to join or watch a game, see Mrs. Yucha for more information.
