Academic Bowl brings together quick thinking, teamwork, and a passion for knowledge in a fast-paced, “Jeopardy-style” contest that challenges students across a wide range of subjects. Competitions test players on everything from literature and music to math, history, science, fine arts, and even sports trivia. Matches move quickly, keeping participants on their toes. Each round is built around two types of questions: Toss-Up and Bonus.
Toss-Up questions are where individual skill shines. Players compete to buzz in first and answer within a tight time limit—10 seconds for most questions, and 30 seconds for math computation. It’s a moment that demands both confidence and accuracy. A correct answer doesn’t just earn points; it gives that player’s team control of the next phase.
Bonus questions come in sets of three, all tied to a single topic where teamwork matters. Once a team earns a bonus opportunity, members collaborate to find the right answers, again working within the same time limits. If they can’t answer correctly or run out of time, the opposing team gets a chance to step in.
The HBR High School Academic Bowl team competes in the Little 10 Conference. Teams can have anywhere from one to five players competing at a time. For the students involved, Academic Bowl is more than just a competition—it’s an opportunity to grow. Participants sharpen their critical thinking, expand their knowledge across disciplines, and build confidence under pressure. Just as importantly, they learn the value of teamwork and communication.
As the season progresses, the HBR Academic Bowl team continues to represent their school with pride, demonstrating that academic excellence can be exciting and rewarding. The HBR High School team took 4th place in the Little 10 Tournament at the end of the 2026 season. The students did so well and I am so proud of all of them!
This year, HBRHS’s team had five members:
Seniors:
Zoe Bonior
Savannah McMurtrie
Caroline Soria
Junior:
Xavier Quirk-Haines
Freshman:
Lucas McMurtrie
Written by: Sarah Kuperus, HBRHS Academic Bowl Sponsor