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, the high school academic tournament.

My name is Frank Murphy.

This is a single elimination tournament, and the winner of today's game advances to the threshold of 32.

Will it be Greeneville High School from Greeneville, Tennessee, or Gibbs High School from Knox County there in Corryton.

Let's find out at the end of this game.

But first we got to start by saying hi to the players, beginning with Adam Hensley, who is a senior at Greeneville for the Greene Devils.

Welcome back Adam.

We recognize you from past years.

How you've been?

What's new?

Teaching our youth science, It's a really cool thing that we go around to a local elementary school, and we do a bunch of science experiments with them.

That's fantastic.

Yeah.

And what's your favorite part of that?

When you see these kids, you know, reacting to these experiments?

I think it's just them retaining all that sort of stuff.

Really?

because I don't know.

Well that's cool.

All right.

Very nice.

Another senior on the team is Patrick Fox.

Welcome, Patrick.

Tell us about you.

Well, I've had an awful lot of free time in senior year, and I expect it to be much more busy.

But, I've been filling up with stuff after school.

I also do toys and to teach our youth science activity with Adam.

Yeah.

And I'm also part of Stage Screen and Stage Scholars Club.

Oh, that sounds cool.

Let's say hi to Hudsun Fillers, who is a senior.

Hudsun, as team captain, you're going to answer bonus questions either yourself or you can defer by name to one of your teammates.

What have you been up to?

Well, I'm also in teaching our youth science club.

I'm a big nature guy.

I mean, I just love- I've been personally going on a little bit of a mission to just collect every single species I can find for myself.

You guys are like kind of have a bit of an advantage.

And, Greene County is so beautiful and you're so close to nature there where your school is and everything.

Right.

Am I?

Yes.

All right.

Well, cool.

And also, we have a new player this year.

Let's say hi to Alexis Meranti.

Alexis, welcome.

You're a senior.

What else is new with you?

Hello, I like to collect miniature glass sculptures.

Like a menagerie, perhaps.

Kind of, yes.

Yeah, that's a literary reference.

Yeah.

Well, I know that I'm doing that actually right now, Glass Menagerie.

Okay, cool.

All right.

Well that's fun.

I'm glad you caught on to that.

We also have our coaches for Greeneville.

Let's say hi both to Samuel Heid who teaches history.

And Kim Francis is another history teacher to the Greene Devils at Greeneville, taking on the Eagles of Gibbs High School in Corryton.

Let's say hi first to junior, Ellie Gibson.

Welcome, Ellie.

Tell us about yourself.

I am the Vice President of my schools DECA club.

Yeah, that's one of the service organizations.

Remind me what DECA stands for?

What Deca does.

We're a business organization, so we connect with the community mainly and reach out to other businesses.

Good.

All right.

Very nice.

And you're joined by junior, Blair Hampton, whose, I think, your sibling has been here is here cheering you on.

Right.

And I am second generation scholarship.

That is outstanding.

What about you.

What do you like to do.

I'm also in DECA with Ellie.

And I do more clubs like Spanish club at my school, and I'm secretary for DECA.

Oh, good.

So very active.

Nice to have you here.

Thanks for coming.

Team captain this year is Jacob Godsey, who's a senior.

Hey, Jacob.

So you're going to answer bonuses, or you can defer to the ladies on either side of you by name.

What's up with yourself?

Weve seen you, of course, here for several years on Scholars Bowl, right?

Three years.

Tell us more about yourself.

I've taken three standardized tests in the past year.

That seems like a lot.

I don't really particularly care for them myself.

I'm good at tests, so.

Oh, you're good at tests?

You scored well, I'm hoping?

35 on the ACT.

That's outstanding.

1417 on the AC- on the SAT.

Well, I mean, that's something that you could.

Yeah, that's the lead.

That's fantastic.

Well, congratulations on that.

Very well done.

Let's say hi to Layla Tackett, a junior.

Layla, what about yourself?

So this year will be my fourth year wrestling.

Yeah.

Yeah, I'm really excited.

Who do you wrestle against?

Other Knox County schools?

Other Knox County schools, sometimes well go to other states, so like a lot of the times we'll go to North and South Carolina.

Yeah.

Oh, and this is like the classic Olympic style wrestling.

Yeah.

We wrestle folk style from November until about March.

Explain that for a second.

So folk style would be just taking people down to the mat, like taking shots.

And then during like the summertime, it's freestyle which is throws.

So like, you know, suplex - things like that.

Oh yeah.

So more like the GLOW right?

Yeah.

Okay.

Fun.

Let's say hi to the alternating coach for Gibbs.

You've got Logan Simms and coach Shelley Stout who teaches biology honors anatomy, physiology and advanced placement environmental science to the Eagles at Gibbs.

We're also delighted to have a very special guest in the studio with us.

We'd like to welcome Knox County School Board member, Travis Wright, who represents the eighth district.

We appreciate the support from the Knox County School Board.

And Travis, thank you so much for joining us as a special guest judge on today's episode of Scholars Ball.

Players you all understand how the game works.

You've got Tossups worth 10, bonuses worth 20.

Get your fingers on the buzzer for this edition of Tennessee Scholars' Bowl 2026.

First Tossup in the area of mythology, what was the name of the mythical Roman goddess of wisdom, justice, law and victory?

Alexis.

Athena.

Not it.

You can steal Gibbs.

Ellie.

Nike.

That is Minerva.

No points on that one.

Tossup now in geography, what is the capital of Florida?

Hudsun.

Tallahassee.

Right for ten.

Geography bonus; name four of the five Great Lakes.

Answer.

Erie, Michigan, Ontario, Superior.

All right, just in time.

Yeah.

You got four.

And Huron is the one you left out.

That's 20 points.

Tossup now in biology.

What marine crustaceans with external shells attach themselves permanently to a variety of surfaces- Hudsun.

Barnacles.

Yeah.

Including rocks, boats, and whales.

Barnacles is right for ten.

Bonus for Greeneville.

Two parts; of the world's five oceans, which is the largest?

Answer.

Pacific.

Right for ten.

Geologically, which is the youngest ocean?

India.

No, the Atlantic.

Give up Pangea and it kind of makes sense.

Ten points on the bonus.

Tossup in math, Walter rents a space for $150 a month.

How much is a year's rent?

Jacob.

1800.

Right, and a math bonus for Gibbs.

If Blair has 11 quarters, 13 dimes and 12 nickels.

How much money does Blair have?

Answer.

4.50.

No, its 4.65, and the whole time Blair is going, “Don't defer to me.

Don't defer to me.” $4.65.

Tossup in art.

What is a type of sculpture where objects are suspended and balanced to be moved by currents of air.

I see one of those over a baby's crib.

It's a mobile.

Tossup in foreign language.

What six letter French word beginning with C is a term for an overused phrase or opinion that betrays a lack of original thought.

Hudsun.

Cliché.

Yes, and a foreign language bonus for Greeneville.

Two parts; What phrase meaning, “of nothing” is used to say, “you're welcome” in Spanish?

Defer to Adam.

De nada.

And the second part; what phrase meaning, “much pleasure” is used to say, “nice to meet you” in Spanish?

Answer.

Defer to Adam.

Mucho gusto.

Yeah, that's right too, 20 points.

Tossup in history, Tennessee became the 16th state in what year?

Adam.

1845.

Not it.

You can steal Gibbs.

At the buzzer, Jacob.

‘1781.

No, 1796 is Tennessee.

Tossup in astronomy; on a clear night which star can help someone in the northern hemisphere find their- Hudsun.

North star.

Yeah, and that or Polaris, right?

We'll take either of those for directional latitude.

Astronomy bonus for Greeneville.

Which is the constellations is a mythical winged horse that is visible in the autumn sky?

Sagittarius.

No, that is Pegasus.

No points on the bonus.

Tossup in vocabulary.

What is a seven letter word starting with “A” that is a synonym of forgive, and also means to declare someone free from blame or guilt?

Hudsun.

Absolve.

Yes, and a vocabulary bonus; which long slender mammal is often used as a metaphor for a person considered untrustworthy, deceitful, or evasive?

A weasel.

Is right - 20 points.

Tossup in religion.

In many churches, which practice infant baptism, who are the adults who agree to oversee the child's religious training if the child's parents die?

Patrick.

Godparents.

Right.

Religion bonus, two parts; Which Old Testament prophet was called “the Weeping Prophet”?

Answer.

Yeah, you got to answer right away when that timer goes.

Second half of the question; which Old Testament prophet envisioned a valley of dry bones coming together?

Answer.

Nothing?

Jeremiah was the weeping prophet.

Ezekiel was the dry bones.

No points on that.

Tossup in English; what is the past tense of the verb “fly”?

Blair.

Flew.

Right.

English bonus, there are two parts; Is the verb active or passive in the sentence, “All flights were canceled due to the storm.” Passive.

This for Jacob to answer or defer.

Passive.

Is the verb active or passive in the sentence?

“The pitcher threw a perfect game last night.” Active.

Is also right, 20.

Tossup in health.

What was the first substance successfully used as a surgical anesthetic?

Jacob.

Ether.

Not it, you can steal Greeneville.

Patrick.

Spilanthes.

That was chloroform on that.

Tossup now in geometry.

Find the area of a triangle with a base of 14ft, an altitude of 9ft.

Jacob.

63.

Yeah, 63ft.

Geometry is your bonus.

What diameter of tablecloth is needed to completely cover a round top table that is 20in across and 25in high?

Answer.

Jacob.

No.

All right.

No points on that, 70in is the answer.

Tossup in literature; in The Scarlet Letter, how does Hester support herself?

She's a seamstress.

No points.

Tossup in geography.

What is the smallest province of Canada?

Jacob, Saskatchewan.

Not it, you can steal Greeneville.

Adam.

Quebec.

No, Prince Edward Island is the smallest.

Tossup in chemistry; what is the common name for NAHCO3, which is used as a leavening agent?

That's baking soda.

Tossup in history.

Those who signed the Mayflower Compact established which colony?

Jacob.

Plymouth.

Is right, and a visual bonus.

Take a look at the screens, please.

Who is the Tennessean shown here who received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack during World War One on a German machine gun nest; gathering 35 machine guns, killing at least 25 enemy soldiers, and capturing 132 prisoners?

No answer.

That's Alvin C. York.

Tossup for everyone in technology.

Google Slides is compatible with presentation files from what Microsoft program?

Adam.

PowerPoint.

Right, Technology is your bonus.

What is a generic term used to refer to applications, scripts, and programs that run on a device?

An app.

Software - I mentioned apps in the question.

The more generic than that is software.

Tossup in music.

For what holiday occasion is the tune Auld Lang Syne traditionally sung?

Hudsun.

July 4th.

Not it , you can steal Gibbs.

Blair.

‘Christmas.

No, it's New Year's Eve.

Tossup for all players in foreign language.

What is the official language of Venezuela?

Jacob.

Spanish.

Right, two part bonus.

What is the official language of Monaco?

French.

Yes.

What is the official language of Liechtenstein?

Germany.

Also right, 20.

Tossup for all players in government.

What is the term for the power of a state or national government to take private property for public use?

Jacob.

Eminent domain.

Right, government bonus; How long is the initial term of a Tennessee Supreme Court justice?

Seven years.

No, it's eight and I don't have time for the second half of the question.

No points on that bonus.

That is the end of the first half.

It's a pretty close game between Greeneville and Gibbs.

Which of these two teams advances to the threshold of 32?

We'll find out 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 Greene Devils of Greeneville High School and the Eagles of Gibbs High School, the winner of today's game advances to the threshold of 32.

It's a pretty close game.

It could be either team, Gibbs trying to give themselves a little bit of an advantage by bringing their alternate into the game.

Let's say hi to junior, Logan Sims.

Logan, hi.

How are you?

I'm good.

Tell us about yourself.

You must have some hobbies or some interests or something.

I love animals and collecting Lego sets.

And, in the animal realm, are we talking wild?

Domesticated?

What's some of your favorites?

Little bit of everything - of sloths, especially.

You know that you can feed the sloths at the Zoo Knoxville?

Did you know?

That you can go over there and have some kind of sloth encounter.

Yeah.

Have you done it?

No, I haven't done it yet.

Okay.

All right.

So your favorite animal was a sloth?

Yeah.

Three-toed?

Yeah.

Three-toed, two-toed, any toes.

They got, they got at least two kinds over there at the zoos.

You might want to go check all that out.

Nice.

Okay.

All right, let's get back to the game.

Get your fingers on the buzzer for Tennessee Scholars' Bowl 2026.

Tossup for all players.

In physics, what is the term for the natural tendency of objects in motion to stay in motion- Jacob.

Inertia.

-And object at rest stay at rest.

Physics bonus for Gibbs.

What is the SI unit of electrical resistance?

Ohm.

And what is the SI unit of electrical power?

Watt.

Those are both correct for 20.

Tossup in spelling, the word ricochet means to rebound one or more times off a surface; spell “ricochet.” Jacob.

R-I-C-O-C-H-E-T.

is correct for ten.

Spelling is your bonus.

Broccoli is a green vegetable that is a good source of calcium; spell “broccoli.” B-R-O-C-C-O-L-I.

Correct, 20 on the bonus.

Tossup in sports.

To the nearest mile, how long is a marathon?

Hudsun.

26.

Right, it's actually 26.2, but you're right.

I asked for the nearest mile, sports bonus now for Greeneville.

How many major league Baseball teams are in the National League?

40.

As of this year, there's only 15 in the National and 15 in America - and they're trying to expand.

But right now, the answer's still 15.

No points there.

Tossup for all players in arts.

What Netflix series, that is set in the 1980s, follows the adventures of characters including Dustin Henderson, Steve- Blair.

Stranger Things.

-Steve Harrington, and Eleven?

And an arts bonus now for Gibbs because you're right.

Which singer and actress, who is one of the most followed people worldwide on Instagram, began her career on Barney and Friends and went on to star in movies and TV series including; Wizards of Waverly Place and Only Murders in the Building?

This is for Jacob to answer or defer.

Defer to Ellie.

Selena Gomez.

That's right, 20 points.

Tossup now in history, which Native American woman served as a guide for Lewis and Clark?

Patrick.

Pocahontas.

No.

You can steal Gibbs.

Ellie.

Sacagawea.

Is right for ten, and a history bonus for Gibbs.

Prior to Geronimo, who was the leader of the Chiricahua Apache, who was arrested for raiding a ranch in 1861, escaped his U.S.

Army captors and declared war, which persisted until 1872?

No answer.

Right in Geronimo that guy's name was Cochise.

No points on that bonus.

Tossup for all players in science.

How many milligrams are in one gram?

Jacob.

1000.

Correct, and a visual bonus now in science.

Take a look at the screens, Gibbs.

Who is the Serbian American inventor and engineer shown here, best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current electricity supply system?

Nikola Tesla.

Yeah, Tesla is right, and that's 20 points.

Tossup in math, an angle with a value of five X minus ten is the right angle.

What is the value of X?

Hudsun.

20.

Right, and a math bonus for Greeneville.

Find the larger of two numbers if their sum is 32 and their difference is six.

Answer 19.

And what's the smaller of those two numbers?

13.

Right, 20 points on that.

Tossup in miscellaneous; spell the word for a female sheep.

Hudsun.

E-W-E.

Is how you spell “ewe.” Miscellaneous bonus now for Greeneville.

Two parts; in folklore what is the elderly bearded man wearing a robe and sash and carrying an hourglass?

Answer.

Defer to Alexis.

Krampus.

That is Father Time.

Second half of the question in folklore, what is the cloaked, skeletal creature carrying a scythe?

The Grim Reaper.

Is right for ten points.

Tossup in literature.

What was the name of King Arthur's sword?

Hudsun.

Excalibur.

Right, literature bonus for Greeneville.

What is the short story by O. Henry about a nearly penniless young husband and wife, each determined to buy the other a suitable Christmas present?

Defer to Adam.

No answer.

It's called “The Gift of the Magi.” Tossup for all players in economics.

What is a systematic and official examination of business finance activities of an organization?

An audit.

Right, and an economics bonus now.

What is the term for something of value that a borrower uses to guarantee a loan?

A lean.

it's called collateral, no points on that.

Tossup in geology, at least 50% of the material in coal is composed of what element?

Jacob.

Carbon.

And a geology bonus for Gibbs.

What is the term for icicle type formations in caves created by slowly dripping water and mineral deposits?

Stalactite.

Say it again?

Stalactite.

Yeah I think stalactite with a C. Yeah, we'll give it to you, 20 points on that bonus.

Tossup now in vocabulary; cardiologist is to heart as neurologist is to what?

Hudsun.

Brain.

And a vocabulary bonus for Greeneville.

What four letter word that ends in X means a medium sized wild cat with a short tail.

Lynx A lynx.

And what four letter word that ends in X means a mineral variety of agate and precious stone?

Onyx.

Those are both right, 20.

Tossup in religion.

What does the title, “Buddha” mean?

Hudsun.

Enlightened one.

Correct, religion bonus for Greeneville.

What religions followers believe in one God but not the Trinity that Jesus Christ died for humankind's sins and are known for their door to door preaching and distributing literature such as the Watchtower?

The Church of Latter day Saints.

No, those are the Jehovah's Witnesses I described.

Tossup for all players in English.

What is the comparative form of the adjective “good”?

Jacob.

Better.

Is right, and a visual bonus for Gibbs.

Look at the screens, please.

What is the correct spelling of the word “capital” in the sentence shown here?

“Our congressman gave us a tour of the blank building.” Capitol building.

C-A-P-I-T-O-L.

Is the right spelling, in that case, 20 points.

Tossup in geography.

Over which ocean was Amelia Earhart flying when she disappeared?

Patrick.

Pacific.

Right.

Geography bonus, two parts; In which state is Zion National Park?

Zion, Nevada.

That's in Utah.

In which state is Acadia National Park?

Washington.

That one's in Maine.

No points on the bonus.

Tossup in health, which organ is failing and patients receiving dialysis treatments?

Blair.

Kidneys.

Right, health bonus for Gibbs.

Which human gland is connected to the hypothalamus by a stalk like structure, and is important in controlling growth and development?

Thyroid gland.

That's the pituitary I was describing.

No points on that.

Tossup in algebra; the equation for X squared plus Y squared equals 100 represents the graph of what type of figure?

Hudsun.

Hyperbolic.

No, chance to steal Gibbs.

Jacob.

Elipse.

Is right, algebra bonus for Gibbs.

What is the reduced slope of the line connecting the points; negative four, six and six, negative two.

Negative four over five.

Is right, 20 points on that.

Tossup now in music for all players, name the spaces on the treble clef staff.

Hudsun.

F A C E. Correct, music bonus for Greeneville.

Two part;.

what is the musical term, “poco a poco” mean?

Answer.

Any rhythm.

That's “little by little.” What does the musical term “staccato” mean?

Separate.

What?

Separate.

Yeah, it's short, detached, or distinct.

So separate sounds like detached.

We'll take that ten points on the bonus.

Tossup in foreign language.

What is the French word for the number “five”?

Jacob.

Oui.

Not it, you can steal.

Patrick.

Cinq.

Yeah, Cinq, Cinq.

Yeah.

Foreign language bonus; what is the Spanish word for Wednesday?

Defer to Adam.

Miércoles.

Yeah, miércoles, we'll take that.

20 points.

Tossup in history.

Which German dirigible was destroyed by fire on May 6th, 1937, resulting in the deaths of 35 of the 97 people on board?

Nobody got the Hindenburg.

Tossup in science.

What negatively charged particle is found in the area around an atom is positively charged?

Hudsun.

An electron nucleus.

Is right, and gets you ten points right at the end of the game, which I believe has made it a tie.

So we're going to overtime.

It's all tossup questions for one minute.

And then at the end of that minute we'll see if we have a winner or if we have to go into double overtime.

All right.

Players fingers on the buzzer for this overtime edition of Tennessee Scholar's Bowl 2026.

Tossup in spelling.

Winning the lottery is not an everyday occurrence.

Spell occurrence.

Alexis.

O-C-C-U-R-A-N-C-E.

Incorrect.

Chance to steal, Jacob.

O-C-C-U-R-E-N-C-E.

No, neither of you got it right.

There's two Rs in the middle.

Tossup for all players in art.

What is the level line in an artwork where water or land seem to end in the sky begins?

Jacob.

Horizon.

Is right for ten.

Tossup in literature.

Which character created by Washington Irving was pursued by the Headless Horseman?

Blair.

Centaur.

Incorrect.

Hudsun.

Ichabod Crane.

Right for ten.

Tossup in government, what is the part of the criminal law procedure in which the charge is read and the accused pleads guilty or not guilty?

Hudsun.

The sentence.

Not it, you can steal Gibbs.

That's the arraignment.

Tossup in biology, photosynthesis takes place.

In which organelle?

Jacob Chloroplast.

Is right for ten.

Well, that is the end of our one minute overtime, and it looks like Gibbs has pulled ahead.

Congratulations, you guys, for, defeating a very good squad from Greeneville.

You guys will advance.

But meanwhile, Greeneville.

Great game.

Got us into overtime.

Very exciting stuff.

Thank you for being here.

Hudsun, you got anything you want to say?

Thank you so much for competing with us.

Well, good.

Yeah, they did a fine job.

And Jacob, you any comments?

You know your stuff.

I'm surprised you're they're b-team.

Well congratulations again Greeneville.

Gibbs, congratulations to you.

You'll now advance to the threshold of 32.

That means we get to see you again on Scholars' Bowl.

We look forward to that.

And you, of course, can see Gibbs again and all of our teams again by never missing an episode.

Check your PBS listings or binge watch past seasons using the PBS app.

My name is Frank Murphy.

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