Today, two high school teams compete for the Academic Championship of our viewing area.

This is Tennessee Scholars' Bowl.

Thank you for watching Tennessee Scholars' Bowl.

I'm Frank Murphy.

This is the single elimination high school tournament.

Now in its 42nd season.

And the winner of today's game will advance to the threshold of 32.

Will it be Daniel Boone High School or Oliver Springs High School?

We'll find out, of course, at the end of the episode.

Let's get started by meeting the players from Daniel Boone High School.

First up is senior Jacqueline Nichols.

Tell us something about yourself, Jacqueline.

When I graduate, I plan to attend UT Knoxville to get a degree in mechanical engineering.

Oh, that is fantastic.

And now we've got a couple of Grindstaffs on the show.

First up is Ashley Grindstaff, who is a junior.

Tell us about yourself, Ashley.

So I am a member of the MC JROTC program over at Daniel Boone, and I plan on going to Appalachian State University to get my bachelor's degree in social work.

So that's the Marine Corps Junior ROTC, right?

Yes, sir.

Will you pursue that as well?

Because, I mean, social work and Marine Corps, I don't necessarily conflate those in my mind.

They're not necessarily total opposites, but I do not plan on going into the Marine Corps at this time.

Meanwhile, your team's captain is Cooper Castle, who is a senior this year.

Welcome back.

Cooper.

We recognize you from past seasons.

Tell us about yourself.

And also remind you that as captain, you'll answer bonuses or defer by name to one of the ladies on either side of you.

Tell us about yourself, Cooper.

Well, I feel like I've applied to every college this side of the Mississippi.

My main desire to be going to the service academies, West Point, mainly.

But I, I've been spend a lot of times on the Common App.

And, we've got another Grindstaff on the show.

Let's say hi to freshman, Shelby Grindstaff.

Any relation or is it an amazing coincidence?

I'm her little sister.

And tell us something about you, Shelby.

Well, I plan on getting into the filmmaking industry later on in life, and I'm a fan of science fiction writing.

Now, what part of filmmaking interests you most?

Because there's so many different jobs.

Everything is required to making a movie.

Well, my biggest dream is directing, but I know it's a pretty hard industry.

Its cutthroat.

So I if I could just be like a writer or screen- or something like that, I would be happy.

That's great.

Well, I wish you the best with that.

Okay.

And then once you make movies, send them our way.

We'll make sure we know about it.

A Scholars Bowl alum who has made it big in the industry, let's say hi to the alternates and coach for Daniel Boone High School.

That's Sophie Peterson, Surry Hicks, Jocelyn Nichols and coaches Major Steve Sesses who is the Marine Corps Junior ROTC instructor at Daniel Boone High School for the Trailblazers.

Taking on some Bobcats from Oliver Springs High School.

Hello, Bobcats.

Let's say hi first to Bryan Stratton, a junior this year.

Tell us about yourself, Bryan.

So really all I'm into at the moment is football.

So you're playing football?

You're watching football?

Playing.

Yeah, what position?

Theoretically; Wide receiver corner.

In reality; right bench.

Right bench.

Okay.

That's good.

We got to remember that one.

Well, we'll keep up on your progress.

Anna All is a junior.

Welcome, Anna.

Tell us about yourself.

I enjoy a lot of hobbies, but one I'm very passionate about is forage.

Yeah.

And for the future, I plan on going into the Air Force as a cyber system operationist, hopefully.

Wow.

That's fantastic.

And why the Air Force instead of private sector or one of the other, services?

I'd like to follow in my family's footsteps.

Great.

Preferably my papa and papaws.

Well, thats nice.

Let's say hi to team captain Jonah Robbins, who is a senior.

Tell us about yourself.

Jonah.

I'm the class president of my senior class, and, I, play football and did wrestling.

Now, as class president, you must have done something clever to get all those votes to get people to vote for you.

Did you say something?

Put up a poster.

Just, do it on sheer height alone.

Im just better.

Better than competition.

All right.

Well, good.

Well, congratulations on that leadership post.

And, of course, as leader of this Scholars' Bowl team, as the captain, that means that you will either answer the bonuses yourself or defer by name to one of your teammates.

We've also got Kayla Hines, a junior.

Welcome, Kayla.

Tell us about.

Hey, I am a member of the data club at our school.

I also play volleyball, which I really enjoy.

For my future, I plan on going to the medical field, and I'm not sure exactly what I want to do, but I do plan on look into the nursing industry.

Yeah, I've always had a strong desire to help others, and so I think that would be perfect for me.

Oh, that's a great job.

And now what about volleyball?

What position?

I am outside hitter.

I used to play libero.

What is that?

Barrow.

They are the.

It's the best defensive player.

So they do a lot of passing and diving, so.

Oh, you have to be on your feet for sure.

Yeah, well, good.

Congratulations on your success and all of that and wish you well.

And also let's say hi to the coach for the Bobcats at Oliver Springs.

That is Eva Robbins who teaches STEM.

Many of you have been here before, and you certainly all know how the game is played, with Tossups worth ten bonuses worth 20.

Players, get your fingers on the buzzer for Tennessee Scholars' Bowl 2026.

Tossup for all players in algebra.

What is the slope of the line having the equation two X minus three Y equals ten?

Nobody got that in time.

The slope is two thirds.

Tossup in religion.

What is the primary Arabic name for God in the Islamic faith?

Cooper.

Allah.

And, a religion bonus for Daniel Boone.

In Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Who is the archangel with the power to announce God's will to men?

And in the Gospel of Luke announced to Mary that she would become the mother of Jesus.

The Archangel Gabriel.

Is right for 20 points.

Tossup in foreign language.

The German word, “marzipan,” which was probably derived from Persian or Arabic, refers to a paste ground from- Ashley.

Almonds.

Which nut; and a foreign language bonus for Daniel Boone.

Translate the French food, “fromage,” into English.

Yogurt.

That's just cheese.

Translate the French food “poulet,” into English.

Bread.

No, it tastes like chicken because it's chicken.

Tossup for all players in U.S.

history.

Who is president of the United States during the War of 1812.

Cooper.

Andrew Jackson.

Nope.

Chance to steal, Oliver Springs.

Jonah.

James Madison.

Is it, history bonus for Oliver Springs.

In which 1815 battle did the forces of Andrew Jackson defeat the British in the closing engagement of the War of 1812?

Battle of New Orleans.

Is right for ten.

In which state is New Orleans located?

Louisiana.

20 points on the bonus.

Tossup now in science.

What field of science studies the interactions between living things and their surroundings?

Ashley.

Biology.

No, chance to steal, Kayla.

Ecology.

Is right, science bonus for Oliver Springs.

Organisms that rely on external environmental factors like the sun to regulate their internal body temperature are known as what 11 letter term beginning with E. Exoskeletons.

No, it's ectothermic.

We're describing cold blooded creatures.

No points on that.

Tossup in spelling.

Spell the eight letter word beginning with C, that is an excellent tool for keeping track of one's daily tasks.

Bryan.

C A L E N D A R. Is right for calendar, spelling bonus now.

Presidential elections are quadrennial, meaning recurring every four years.

Spell, “quadrennial.” Defer to Anna.

Q U A R D I R A N A L. Well, no, you got a little twisted there in the.

In the beginning it's, Q U A D R E N N I A L. No points on the bonus.

Tossup in architecture.

Where was the Statue of Liberty built?

Cooper.

France.

And a architecture bonus.

Take a look at the screens for this one, please.

A long running joke offers to sell which iconic bridge shown here that spans the East River in New York City.

No answer.

That's the Brooklyn Bridge.

Which incumbent U.S.

president attended the bridge's opening ceremonies on May 24th, 1883?

Grover Cleveland.

That was Chester Arthur.

No points on that.

Tossup for all players in literature.

After climbing the beanstalk, what musical instrument did Jack steal from the giant Bryan.

Harp.

Right.

And a literature bonus for Oliver Spring.

In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Through what does she travel to reach a fantasy world with characters including the caterpillar and the Cheshire Cat?

A looking glass.

That's a rabbit hole.

In the sequel, through what does Alice travel to reach a fantasy world with characters including the Red Queen and Tweedledum and Tweedledee?

The Looking Glass.

Is right for the ten points.

Tossup in economics, what two word term is used for the interest rate charged by banks to large corporations with the highest credit ratings?

Cooper.

Compound interest.

Not it, you can steal, Oliver Springs.

Anna.

Credit score.

No, the prime rate.

They get the prime rate Tossup in chemistry.

What element has the highest electronegativity?

Kayla.

Fluorine.

What is it?

Fluorine.

Yeah.

Make sure I've called on you all the way.

But, that's right, ten points.

And, a chemistry bonus.

Which solvent has the higher flash point; turpentine or methanol?

Methanol.

No.

It's turpentine.

That's, no points on the bonus.

Tossup in vocabulary.

What is the sudden movement of ice, snow and other debris down to- Ashley.

Avalanche.

Down a mountainside - vocabulary bonus for D.B.. What 11 letter word means involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds?

I defer to Ashley.

Cacophonous.

Is correct.

Now, spell, “cacophonous.” Answer I defer to Ashley.

C A C O P H O N O U S. Is correct, 20 points on that.

Tossup now in technology.

On a windows computer, what is the function of the keyboard shortcut CTRL-X?

Anna.

Cut.

Is correct, technology bonus.

What software was originally called Sky Peer to Peer and is known for VOIP based video telephony and video conferencing.

Defer to Hannah.

Skype.

Is right - 20 points.

Tossup now in English.

What is the kind of writing that appears in argumentative essays, tracts and editorials designed to convince someone to do or accept something?

Cooper.

Persuasive.

Is right.

English bonus.

What figure of speech did Carl Sandburg use when he wrote of, “Pigs so thin, the farmer had to tie knots in their tails to keep them from crawling through the cracks in their pens.” Imagery.

It's hyperbole.

Tossup now in geography, what is the longest line of latitude on the earth?

Bryan.

120.

Not it, you can steal, Daniel Boone.

That would be the equator pass up in geology.

What are the limestone rock structures built by living organisms in warmer parts of the ocean?

Bryan.

Coral.

Yeah.

Coral reef is it.

And, a visual bonus.

Take a look at the screens, please.

What is the name of the 15th century Inca citadel shown here?

Machu Picchu.

Is right for ten.

In which mountain range is it located?

Andes.

Is right, 20 on the bonus.

Tossup now in geometry.

What is the next term of the sequence?

1, 8, 27, 64?

Right at the buzzer, Shelby.

128.

No, chance to steal now, Oliver Springs.

But you can't look at each other or confer on toss.

I'm sorry.

It's 125.

As we're just cubing the integers in order.

No points there.

Tossup in music, what is the term for a group of pitches played in rhythm Anna.

Melody.

Correct, and a music bonus for Oliver Springs.

What major key signature when written for piano has four flats?

B. That's A-flat major.

What major key signature when written for piano has one sharp?

D. That one is G major.

No points on the bonus Tossup in foreign language.

What is the Roman numeral for 224?

Bryan.

C C X X I V. Is correct, and a foreign language bonus for Oliver Springs.

Which variety of Persian is the official language of Iran?

Iranian.

That's wrong.

Yeah, it's called Farsi, though no points there.

Tossup in world history.

Which landlocked European country remained neutral in both World War I- Ashley.

Switzerland.

And World War II.

History bonus.

Name two of the three Allied leaders who represented their countries at the Yalta Conference in February 1945.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.

Those are both right.

Joseph Stalin was the third.

20 points on the bonus.

Tossup in health.

Which human organ is monitored with an EEG?

Ashley.

Brain.

Is it, and a health bonus.

What is the term for the specialized connective tissue made of fibrous collagen that gives structure to organs such as ears and noses?

Cartilage.

Right for ten.

What's the term for the specialized connective tissue made of collagen and calcium crystals that form the main structure and framework of the body?

Bone.

Is right at the buzzer.

You get ten more points on that total of 20 on that bonus.

A very close game between the Trailblazers of Daniel Boone High School and the Bobcats of Oliver Springs.

One of these two teams will advance to our threshold of 32.

We'll find out who it's going to be after the break on Tennessee Scholars' Bowl 2026.

The 42nd season of Tennessee Scholars' Bowl is a single elimination tournament featuring 50 high school academic teams.

The championship team in this year's Scholars' Bowl receives the Frank Miller Memorial Trophy.

The scorekeeper, timekeeper, and judges for this year's Scholars' Bowl are Chandler Benson, Ernie Roberts, Jerry Doherty, Stephen Hensley, Rebecca Longmire, James Dean, and Kathy Waddell.

East Tennessee PBS would also like to thank its staff and the many volunteers who helped make this educational program possible.

To enter your high school in next year's Tennessee Scholars' Bowl, please write to the address shown on your screen.

You're watching Tennessee Scholars' Bowl.

I'm Frank Murphy, back from halftime in this game between the Trailblazers of Daniel Boone High School in Gray, Tennessee and the Bobcats of Oliver Springs High School in Anderson County.

Now let's meet the alternate for Daniel Boone.

They're bringing in Sophie Peterson, who is a sophomore.

Hey, Sophie, tell us something about yourself.

I want to go to the University of Oklahoma to study meteorology to become a storm chaser.

Really?

Okay, so the movie twister influenced you?

Or real life influenced you?

Twisters definitely did.

But I also went to a town in Kentucky that was hit by a tornado and saw the damage afterwards.

And I want to help people after tornado damage.

Okay.

Well, fantastic.

Future meteorologist right there.

Okay.

I'm interested in hearing more about you as as time goes on.

That's excellent.

Well, meanwhile, it's pretty close game.

One of these two teams will advance to the threshold of 32, Oliver Springs, keeping the starting lineup intact so players get right back to it.

Fingers on the buzzer for Tennessee Scholars' Bowl 2026 Tossup for all players in religion.

What is the title of the spiritual leader of a Jewish synagogue or temple?

Cooper.

Rabbi.

Correct religion bonus for D.B.

What is the religious meal served in Jewish homes on the eve of the 15th day of the month of Nisan, to begin the festival of Passover?

Seder is right for 20 points.

Tossup in sports.

In which U.S.

city is the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame?

Cooper.

Chicago.

Not it, you can steal Oliver Springs.

Can't go looking at each other, unfortunately.

That'll cost your team some points.

Knoxville is the answer for that Tossup for all players in mythology, what was the Roman equivalent of the mythical Greek goddess Athena?

Ashley.

Minerva.

Yes.

Mythology bonus.

In a friendship loan, Greece and Sicily exchanged ancient artifacts, including one that is a marble fragment of a statue of what mythical Olympian goddess of the hunt, the moon and chastity, and was the twin sister of Apollo.

Artemis.

Is right for 20.

Tossup in government.

Which federal agency is the regulator that can penalize networks- Cooper.

The Federal Reserve.

No, can penalize networks for indecency shown on television programs?

Chance to steal Oliver Springs.

And we're very aware of the FCC in this business.

That's who that was.

Tossup in astronomy, which comet was seen during the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and is due to reappear in 2061?

Ashley.

Haley's.

Yeah, Haley's or Halley's Comet.

Yeah.

And an astronomy bonus.

Unlike the other planets in our solar system, Venus spins which direction on its axis?

Counterclockwise.

No, that's the other one.

They spin clockwise.

Tossup now in math, what is the value of 18 divided by 5/10?

Ashley.

Nine.

No, chance to steal Oliver Springs.

Nobody got that in time.

Basically 18 divided by half.

You double, it becomes 36.

Tossup in art.

What term is used to describe a hue that has a high level of intensity.

Anna.

Saturation.

Right, art bonus.

What is the term for a person learning a trade or an art from a skilled worker?

Apprentice.

Is right for ten.

Spell, “apprentice.” Defer to Anna.

Defer to Bryan.

Oh, we already deferred to Anna, so I need an answer from her.

No.

I think you can look it up.

Of course, but it's A P P R E N T I C E. No points on that, Tossup now in English.

What eight letter word beginning with A is the antonym of dismantle.

Cooper.

Symbol.

Right, English bonus.

Using the letters in the word leaps.

L E A P S. Identify a word that means loud, repeated sounds of bells or laughter, and a word that means the outer parts of a flower that enclose a developing bud.

Peals and petals.

Peals is right.

I'll give you a ten for that, but a sepal - S E P A L, is it.

Because there's no T in the word that I gave you originally?

You have to use L E A P S to answer it.

So that's peals is ten points.

Tossup now in geography, if someone is living on Tulsa Time, in which time zone are they located?

Cooper.

Central, And the geography bonus, Tina Turner, Quentin Tarantino, Morgan Freeman and Al Gore Jr were all born in which state?

Tennessee.

Muhammad Ali, Jennifer Lawrence, Abraham Lincoln and George Clooney were all born in which state?

Illinois.

That ones Kentucky, ten points.

Tossup for all players in science.

What is the attractive force that acts between molecules of different substances?

Anna.

Compulsion.

No, it gives a chance to steal, D.B.. That's adhesion.

Tossup in vocabulary.

What six letter word beginning with E is a synonym for abscond?

That is escape.

Tossup in religion.

In 1865, William and Catherine Booth founded the Christian Mission that was later renamed- Hooper.

Salvation Army.

Yeah.

Make sure I've called on you all the way, but thats right.

What familiar bell ringing organization?

Religion bonus for two parts.

Martin Luther translated the Bible into what language?

German.

From what language did Luther translate the New Testament in 1522?

Latin.

No, he translated it from Greek.

Ten points on that.

Tossup in literature, which Gothic novels title includes the phrase, “Or, The Modern Prometheus”?

Anna.

The House of Usher.

Not it, you can steal, D.B.. That is Frankenstein.

Tossup in History.

Of the first six U.S.

presidents.

Who was the only one who did not attend college?

Cooper.

George Washington.

Correct, and a history bonus.

Some historians believe that Pericles funeral oration during the Peloponnesian War was an inspiration for what 1863 speech?

The Gettysburg Address.

Is right for 20 points.

Tossup now in algebra.

Solve the equation; four X minus 40 equals -16.

For the variable X Bryan.

Nine.

Not it.

You can steal, Daniel Boone.

Nobody got it in time.

X equals six on that.

Tossup in miscellaneous.

Before You Leap is the fictional autobiography of which Muppet who says that he was born in a swamp?

Anna.

Kermit the Frog.

In Leland, Mississippi with 2353 siblings.

Miscellaneous bonus.

What type of dog has breeds called Scottish Welsh and Irish?

Terrier.

Is right.

What was the favorite dog breed of Queen Elizabeth II?

Defer to Anna.

Cocker Spaniel.

No.

She liked corgis.

Tossup in biology.

What is the monomer of a protein?

Anna.

Mitochondria.

Not it, you can steal, Daniel Boone.

Ashley.

Amino acid.

Is right, and we've got a biology visual bonus if you take a look at the screen.

What is the term for the insect shown here that is marked with nontoxic paint?

Queen Bee.

Is right for ten.

What is the 11 letter word beginning with S that is used by beekeepers to describe the replacement of an existing queen by her daughter?

Supplementation.

It's called supersedure.

So ten points on the bonus.

Tossup in foreign language.

What are the words for, “the door” in Spanish?

Anna.

El puerta.

No, chance to steal.

Ashley.

La puerta.

Yes.

It's feminine, so we need that.

Foreign language is your bonus.

What is the phrase for, “I read a lot” in Spanish?

I defer to Ashley.

Yo voy a leer.

No, it's just, “Leo mucho.” What is the phrase for, “I speak Spanish” in Spanish?

Me hablo Español.

Oh, we might be able to do that.

it is, “hablo Español,” is probably all we need.

Probably can take that, ten points on the bonus.

Tossup in government.

What is the word for a government ruled by men only?

Ashley?

Plutocracy.

Not it.

You can steal, Jonah.

Patriarchy.

Yes.

Government bonus.

Which international organization provides secure access to global criminal databases, forensic support and training to law enforcement agencies in 195 countries?

Interpol.

Is right, for 20 points.

Physics tossup now.

Oxidation occurs through which electrode?

Bryan.

Iron.

Not it, you can steal Daniel Boone.

The anode is the electrode we needed.

Tossup in spelling.

The simultaneous discharge of many firearms is called a fusillade.

Spell, “fusillade.” Bryan.

F U S E L A D E. Not it, you can steal, Daniel Boone.

Cooper.

F U S I L A G E. No, it's a that's like a plane.

We're talking about a fusillade, which is F U S I L L A D E. No points there.

Tossup in music.

Which group of instruments would play a street beat or a cadence?

Anna.

Bass.

No, chance to steal.

Ashley.

Drums.

Is right, and a, music bonus if we have time.

Who composed Eine Kleine Nachtmusik?

Bach.

No, it was Mozart, and we don't have time for the second half of the question.

Not that you needed the points anyway, because Daniel Boone has held on to win and to advance to our threshold to 32.

First of all, Oliver Springs, great game.

Thank you guys for being here.

You ran a pretty good score there.

And we appreciate Jonah, you and your team being here.

They were a great team.

We thought we had them in the first half and they came back and beat us.

All right.

Well good.

And congratulations to you guys at Oliver Springs.

Thank you guys for being on the tournament.

We look forward to seeing your underclassmen again next year.

Meanwhile Daniel Boone congratulations.

You guys advanced to the threshold to 32 Cooper first, I want to thank, PBS for hosting this.

And also, our ROTC instructor, Major Sessis, for putting up with us.

And then also, I appreciate this team for, well, their willingness to compete with us.

And then also, they're very patient with us in the waiting room.

I don't know why they put up with us.

Oh, I love hearing that.

Yeah, because we you do have to spend a bit of time together in the, in the green room before you come into the studio.

So that's very nice to hear.

Well, congratulations again, Daniel Boone.

Thank you, Oliver Springs.

We do appreciate your advancing.

Now to the 32.

And we appreciate you watching every episode, checking your PBS listings or of course, binge watching past seasons using the PBS app.

My name is Frank Murphy.

Thank you so much for watching Tennessee Scholars' Bowl 2026.