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

This is Tennessee Scholars' Bowl.

Thank you for watching Tennessee's Scholars' Bowl.

I'm Frank Murphy.

This is the high school academic tournament in its 42nd season.

And today's game is between the Knights of J. Frank White Academy and the Rebels of Maryville High School.

The winner will advance to the threshold of 32 in this single elimination tournament.

Whos it going to be?

Well, we don't know, but we can start by meeting the players, beginning with J. Frank White Academy and Trinity Boger.

Hey, Trinity.

Welcome.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Trinity Boger and my favorite element is argon.

And I really like dentistry.

Okay.

So what is it about?

And I know you're emphatic there.

You're hitting the table like Khrushchev at the United Nations, which is a reference you may not get.

But, what is it about argon just appeals to me.

Argon appeals to you?

Yeah.

We've also got Eva Gramley, who is in 11th grade.

What about you, Eva?

My name is Eva Gramley, and my favorite element is carbon.

And I really like dentistry.

What's wrong with argon?

Nothing.

You just like like carbon?

Carbon, yeah.

What is it about carbon that you like?

Life.

That is a valid answer.

And I will accept that next to you is your brother, Eren Gramley.

Eren.

Welcome back.

We recognize you from past seasons.

What are you, a senior this year?

I am.

tell us about you, and youre team captain.

I should mention that you're going to answer bonus questions, or you can defer to a teammate.

Yeah, I really like tungsten, and, I also really like dentistry.

Now the dentistry.

All right.

Off to an amazing, incredible coincidence.

But the tungsten thing.

I have a strong recollection of the team that, went to the championship game and actually, made a bet with me that I'd have to go out to lunch with them if they won the championship, and I did.

There was somebody on that team who was all about the tungsten.

But it wasn't you.

It was not.

It was my predecessor, Grayson Debusk, may he rest in peace.

He's not dead.

He's.

He's in Belmont.

Hes at Belmont.

Thank you for.

But, yeah, we want to get you.

That's how you study.

You get good rest on the nights and weekends.

Yeah.

All right, so we hope he does have a restful time.

So he was the tungsten guy.

Yeah.

And now you're the tungsten guy.

Yeah.

Fantastic.

And we've also got 10th grader Jonathan Edwards here.

And Jonathan you've got a very famous name.

But let's see what your interests and hobbies are.

My favorite element is titanium.

And, I'm also very well interested in dentistry.

Now, titanium is probably more expensive than the other elements, I'm guessing, maybe?

Yes and no.

It's a common element in the, core, but it's also, fairly expensive elements.

Yeah, it's used in a lot of things.

I just know somebody made a pop song about it, and that's what I'm thinking.

All right.

And dentistry?

Yes.

Are any of you studying to be a dentist now?

No.

Are any of you related dentists?

No.

Well, do any of you go to dentists?

Yes.

Yeah, sometimes.

Fair enough.

All right, glad we got that out of the way.

Let's say hi of the alternate and coach for J. Frank White Academy, who presumably are also interested in dentistry.

Gracie Blair and coach Anthony Hensley, who teaches biology and math to the Knights at J. Frank white in Harrogate, Tennessee, right near Kentucky.

Let's now meet the team from Maryville.

The Rebels are here, beginning with Asher Pak, who is in 11th grade.

Hi, Asher.

Welcome.

Tell us about yourself.

I row for TriStar Rowing and I collect retro video game consoles.

Oh, really?

So, a friend of mine has a museum of, retro computers and video games.

I hope you get to go see it sometime.

It's called Vintage Geek.

I hope so too.

Yeah, it's not far from the PBS studios, actually.

There.

You can go check it out sometime.

What is it about the rowing?

That means a club rowing, not school rowing, right?

Yes, sir.

What's the difference?

For club rowing they don't get national funding, so that's not as convenient.

But also, I mean, they just go where they got us too.

Very good.

Alex Autry is here.

She's in 11th grade.

Alex, welcome.

Good to see you again.

Tell us about yourself.

I'm a dancer with Appalachian Ballet Company, and I'm student council president for my class.

Well, I've got so many questions.

First of all, what was your winning campaign slogan?

Perhaps to become elected?

It's a pretty high honor.

It was “Align with Alex.” Align with Alex.

Much like a dentist would align your teeth.

That's true.

Right?

Ballet is pretty fantastic.

So how many years have you been doing Appalachian Ballet?

I've been doing it since I was three, so about 18.

That's a lot of nutcrackers.

A little bit good.

We're happy to have you here.

Let's say hi to team captain Connor Fowler who is in 12th grade.

Connor, you're going to answer bonuses or you can defer by name to one of your teammates.

Tell us about you.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Well, last summer I went to GSFTA Governor's School for the Arts.

That's fancy.

Where it was it?

MTSU.

Okay.

Beautiful campus.

And, yeah, it was it was really nice.

I went and I'm a part of KYSE.

Knoxville Youth Saxophone Ensemble.

Saxophone ensemble?

Yes.

So, wait, are you an actual saxophonist?

Oh, I'm the best saxophonist.

That's, I think, the British pronunciation, but I far as I'm concerned, the only pronunciation of saxophonist.

And we've also got 11th grader Madi McGinnis.

Welcome, Madi.

Tell us about you.

Hi.

I will be attending and also participating in the 67th Annual TMEA conference this year.

TMEA?

All right.

I'm going to guess the T is Tennessee.

What's the rest of it?

I'm pretty sure music education association.

Association, yes.

We'll go with that.

So that's another, musician.

What do you play?

Well, I play saxophone.

Oh, really?

What kind?

Mainly Berry.

Yeah, I'm a baritone, but I can also play all four.

So can I call you a saxophonist?

Definitely.

So we got a pair of dueling saxophonists.

I'm excited about this on the show today.

Very good.

Nice to have you here.

Let's say hi to the alternates and coach from Maryville High School.

We've got Zoe Dobravolney and Elena Colter, joined by coach Dr.

Corey DeHart, who teaches physics and astronomy.

All right, everybody, a lot of you are, veterans.

Many of you have been here before, very few new players, but all of you have at least watched the show.

You know how it works.

With Tossups worth ten bonuses worth 20, you get your fingers on the buzzer for Tennessee Scholars' Bowl 2026.

Tossup for all players in astronomy, which cosmic phenomena have gravitational fields so intense that not even light can escape?

Eren.

Black hole.

Is right for ten.

Astronomy is your bonus.

What is the name for the Northern Lights?

Polaris.

That's the Aurora Borealis.

What is the name for these southern lights?

Aurora, Southernalis Well, it's Aurora, Australis; like Australia.

No points on the bonus tossup for everyone in literature.

Who is the author of the Harry Potter series?

Asher.

J.K.

Rowling.

Is right for ten, literature bonus now for Maryville.

Two parts.

What are the names of the characters involved in a love triangle in the Twilight Saga?

I defer to Madi.

Edward, Jacob and Bella.

All three of those are right, for five more points, who is the author of The Twilight Saga?

I defer to Madi.

Stephanie Meyer.

You get all 20 on that bonus.

Tossup now, in economics, which economic indicator is the total monetary or market value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period?

Alex.

Gross domestic product.

Is right for ten, economics bonus.

Which government agency that was created under the Banking Act of 1933 is known by the initials FDIC.

I defer to Alex.

Federal domestic income commission.

Well, this is an all or nothing question, but it is the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

So, nothing on that.

Tossup now in art, which art medium is constructed of a narrow pigmented core comprised of vegetable oil and wax in a- Eren.

Tempera.

in a wooden cylinder.

Chance to steal, Maryville.

Madi.

Oil pastel.

No, it's a colored pencil.

Yeah.

Toss it for everybody in geometry.

What is the effect on the area of a circle if the radius is doubled?

Eren.

Quadrupled.

Yes.

That's right.

Area is quadrupled.

Geometry bonus two sides of a pentagon are congruent with measures of X plus three and two X minus one.

What is the value of X congruent?

X equals four.

Is right.

Now tell me what is the length of the congruent sides?

Answer.

Seven.

Those are both right, 20 points on the bonus.

Tossup for everyone in science.

What is the term for the dense, positively charged center of an atom consisting of- nucleus.

I didnt call on you though, Eva, so, I can't even give you.

A warning on that.

Consisting of protons and neutrons.

Asher.

Nucleus.

Is right, and a visual bonus now for Maryville.

Take a look at the screens.

Which scientific principle illustrated here explains why objects in a fluid experience a buoyant force equal to the weight of the displaced fluid?

I need the name of the principal.

Principle of buoyancy.

Well, we're looking for Archimedes principle on that.

No points there.

Tossup now, for all players in foreign language.

What is the term for languages that developed from Latin?

Eren.

Romantic.

Yeah, romance languages will take that.

And a foreign language.

bonus now for J. Frank White.

What is the Latin phrase meaning, “let the buyer beware”?

It's it's in economics.

Answer.

Laissez faire.

It's caveat emptor.

No points on the bonus, Tossup in geography.

Which mountain system stretches from Alabama to Newfoundland, Canada.

Eren.

Appalachian mountains, correct.

Geography.

Bonus name four of the eight U.S.

states that have a panhandle.

Answer Oklahoma and Nebraska.

Those are both right.

You got any more?

No.

Okay.

So ten points on the bonus, five points each.

Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia.

You got two of those?

That's ten points.

Tossup in religion, which city do Jews, Christians and Muslims consider?

Asher.

Jerusalem.

Holy, and a religion bonus for Maryville.

Which Christian holy day is a day of fasting and repentance and is the beginning of the liturgical season of lent?

Ash Wednesday.

Right for ten.

Which day is the most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Easter Sunday.

Those are both right for 20.

Tossup in vocabulary.

Which eight letter word beginning with M means to soak or based food in a liquid to flavor- Eren.

Marinate.

Or tenderize.

A vocabulary bonus for J. Frank.

What seven letter word beginning with I means to cause something or someone to be alone or apart from others.

Isolate.

Is right for 20, tossup now in chemistry.

Which element has the symbol HE.

Eren.

Helium.

Correct.

Chemistry is your bonus.

Which two elements are the primary components of the alloy Bronze?

Copper and tin.

Those are both right for 20.

Tossup now in English?

What six letter word beginning with T-H is a synonym for exhilarate?

Eren.

Thrill.

Yes, English bonus.

What is the past tense of the verb bear spelled B E A R. Baird.

No, that was boar.

What is the past tense of the verb bear?

Spelled B A R E. Baird.

That is right.

Ten points on the bonus Tossup in U.S.

history.

Where did the first skirmishes of the American Revolution take place?

Eren.

Boston.

Not it, you can steal.

Asher.

Lexington.

Need more.

Concord.

Both right.

That's now history bonus for Maryville.

Name two of the three men who wrote essays for The Federalist under the name Publius.

Hamilton and Madison.

Yeah, those are both right.

John Jay being the third.

20 points.

Tossup now in music.

For which instrument did Frederic Chopin primarily compose?

Eren.

The piano.

Yes.

And a visual bonus.

Take a look at screens, J. Frank White.

Which musical note is indicated on the treble clef shown here?

C sharp.

Thats right for 20 points.

Tossup now in math.

Convert the fraction 24 over 80 into a percent.

Eren.

0.14.

Not it.

You can steal Maryville.

Times up on that so I can't give it to anybody.

30% 24 over 80 is 30%.

Tossup in health.

Which part of the blood is made up of small granular fragments?

Eren.

Platelet.

Of cells that promote clotting.

Health bonus for J. Frank White.

Which Scottish surgeon received the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1945 for his studies in bacteriology and his accidental discovery of a miracle in drug?

Flemming.

Yes.

And what did you discover?

Penicillin.

Both right for 20.

Tossup in literature, what is the five letter word starting with E for the poetic form that is longer than a dirge, and also- Eren.

Eulogy.

Also laments death as a poem or song.

Chance to steal, Maryville.

Asher.

Erin.

No, it's not a eulogy, but an elegy.

Slight difference Tossup in government.

What is the title given to the representatives selected as the presiding officer of the lower chamber of the U.S.

Congress?

Eren.

Vice president.

Not it, you can steal, Maryville.

Asher.

Minority leader.

That's speaker of the house.

Tossup in sports.

In golf, how many strokes under par is an eagle?

Eren Two.

Yes.

And, in sports bonus now.

What is the frequency of the Kentucky Derby?

Two years.

That's once a year.

What is the frequency of the Ryder Cup?

Two years.

That one is every other year.

Yeah.

Ten points on the bonus.

Tossup in spelling.

Something that is extremely funny is called hilarious, spell- Alex.

H I L A R I O U S. Is hilarious, and the spelling bonus for Maryville.

Spell the ten letter word beginning with B-U.

That means an official in a government department.

In particular, one perceived as being concerned with procedural correctness at the expense of people's needs.

I defer to Asher.

B U C R A C R A T. No, that's a little extra in there.

A bureaucrat is, B U R E A U C R A T. for an extra C in there.

Tossup for everybody in geology, what powerful geological agent is responsible for forming the tributary landforms known as hanging valleys?

Eren.

Vault.

Not it, you can steal, Maryville.

Asher.

Seismic waves.

No, hanging valleys are formed by glaciers.

Tossup in foreign language.

What is the Spanish word for “Thursday”?

Eren.

Mercredi.

Not it.

You can steal.

Alex.

Jueves.

Yes.

And a foreign language bonus for Maryville.

Translate “the tree” into Spanish.

Answer.

I defer to Alex.

El cabezo.

No, that's “el arbol.” Translate “the words” into Spanish.

Los palabras.

Count on Connor to answer or defer.

I defer to Alex.

Los palabras.

That's right.

So you get ten points right there at the end of the first half.

It's pretty exciting game and it could go either way.

Obviously it's just a matter of who's going to ring in first.

These are a bunch of smart kids.

One of the teams will advance to the round of the threshold of 32.

Who is it going to be, Marvel or J. Frank White.

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 at 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 for 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 J. Frank White Academy of Harrogate and Maryville High School, of course in Maryville, Tennessee.

Right now, J. Frank has a bit of a lead over Maryville.

Anything can happen.

Both teams keeping their starting lineups in one of these teams advances to our threshold of 32 and gets to play again.

The other one - well doesn't.

So let's find out who's it going to be and get right back to it.

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

Tossup for everyone in geography.

What body of water has a name that means middle of the Earth?

Eren.

The Mediterranean.

Yes, and a geography bonus.

Name two of the South American countries through which the equator run on the equator.

Chile and Ecuador.

Ecuador is right, as the name implies, but it's Brazil and Colombia are the other two.

10 points on the bonus.

Tossup in technology.

On a windows computer, what is the function of the keyboard shortcut CTRL-V.

Eren.

Paste.

Yes.

Technology bonus.

What is the term referencing an arthropod for a computer program that searches the web and indexes web pages?

Worm.

No, it crawls the web.

It's called a spider.

Tossup in algebra, solve for X if 18 equals three minus five X. Eren.

Negative three.

Is right, algebra bonus.

What is the X intercept of the line with the equation three X minus five y equals negative 21, in coordinate form?

0, 21/5.

No, it's negative seven, zero in coordinate form.

No points on that.

Tossup in biology, what is the genus and species for a modern human being?

Eren.

Primate.

Not it, you can steal.

Asher.

Homo sapiens.

Is right, and a biology bonus.

What type of fruit has a variety called Honeycrisp?

Apples.

Right for ten.

What type of fruit has a variety called Danjou?

Strawberry.

That's a pear.

Ten points on the bonus.

Tossup in arts, which character voiced by Owen Wilson is the protagonist of the Disney Pixar Cars franchise?

Connor.

Lightning McQueen.

Right, for ten.

Arts bonus for Maryville.

The 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade included the first appearance of a balloon likeness, of which Disney cartoon character that debuted dressed as a flapper in 1928.

Animated short Steamboat Willie.

Mickey Mouse.

I heard Mickey Mouse, right?

Yeah, I heard you say - I heard it in there, so I can't give it to you.

It's Minnie Mouse was dressed as the flapper.

Tossup in history.

In 1935, the country of Persia changed its name to what?

Eren.

Saudi Arabia.

Incorrect.

Chance to steal.

Asher.

The Omani Empire.

No.

Persia is now known as Iran.

Tossup in architecture.

What is the name of the Islamic mausoleum at Agora, which serves as a memorial to the wife of Shah- Eren.

‘Mecca.

No, Shah Jahan.

Madi.

Taj Mahal.

Is right, and a visual bonus.

Take a look at the screens, please.

Who is the Portuguese explorer shown here, who is best known for becoming the first European to reach India by sea?

Ferdinand Magellan.

No, that was Vasco da Gama.

No points on the bonus.

Tossup now in vocabulary, what six letter word means both a movable plate for regulating the draft and a stove or furnace, and a device in stringed keyboard instruments to deaden the vibration of the strings.

Eren.

Dampener.

Not quite, chance to steal, Maryville.

Alex.

Commute.

No, it's a damper.

Tossup now in physics; in radio broadcasting, what words do the letters FM represent?

Eren.

Frequency modulation.

Correct.

Physics bonus.

What is the process by which heat energy is transmitted through a material substance?

Conduction.

Right for ten.

What is the process by which the heat of the sun is transmitted?

Solar rays.

Well, radiation is the process.

So ten points on the bonus for conduction.

Tossup in English what words are represented by the initialism FAQ as often seen on websites?

Asher.

Frequently Asked Question.

Right, English bonus.

Which figure of speech is used in the following sentence?

The light danced on the surface of the water.

Personification correct for 20 Tossup.

Now in economics, the majority of funding for public schools in the US comes from which category of taxes?

Madi.

Residential property.

Let me see if we can take that, because it is residential property taxes.

I think it's the same thing.

Yes.

Economics bonus.

Now which company produces official National Football League footballs?

Wilson.

Is right for 20.

Tossup in music.

Which pop singer who was born on February 20th, 1988, in Barbados- Madi.

Taylor Swift.

Recorded the hit songs Lift Me Up and Pon de Replay.

Chance to steal, J. Frank White.

Trinity.

Rihanna.

Is right, music bonus now.

What is the major key for an instrument, like a piano, when the key signature has three sharps?

E. That's A major.

What is the major key for an instrument, like a piano, when the key signature has two flats?

G. and the saxophonists over here wishing they had gotten that question, B flat.

No points on the bonus.

Tossup in games.

How many billiard balls are on the pool table at the start?

Eren.

12.

At the start of a game.

Chance to steal Maryville.

Alex.

8.

No, 16.

Because you got to count the, cue ball there.

Tossup for all players in health.

In human dietary needs, calcium is to bones as which mineral is to hemoglobin.

Eren.

Iron.

Is right.

Health bonus now, which part of lettuce is usually consumed by humans?

Flower.

That's the leaf.

Which part of a meat is usually consumed by humans?

The root.

Is right ten on the bonus.

Tossup in foreign language, which five letter Spanish word is commonly used in English to mean manly or masculine in a noticeable- Eren.

Macho.

Or exaggerated way, is correct.

Visual bonus in language.

Take a look at the screens, please.

What word is represented here by American Sign Language Fingerspelling?

Home.

Is right for 20 points.

H-O-M-E.

Tossup in geography.

Which color is most frequently used on national flags?

Eren.

Blue.

Not it, you can steal, Maryville.

Asher.

Red.

Yeah, that's your color right down Maryville.

Bonus now in geography for Maryville, Salem is the capital of which state?

Oregon.

Right for ten.

Bismarck is the capital of which state?

Arkansas.

That's North Dakota.

Ten points on the bonus.

Tossup in religion, Lakshmi is one of the principal goddesses in which religion?

Alex.

Hindu.

Yes, and a religion bonus now for Maryville.

Which Catholic saint established The Missionaries of Charity in India in 1950, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, died in 1997, and was canonized in 2016.

Mother Teresa.

Yeah, she's now known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, but we'll still take Mother Teresa.

20 points.

Tossup in math.

What is 14 squared?

Eren.

264.

Not it, you can steal- Asher.

196.

Correct.

And a math bonus for Maryville.

What are the next two terms of the geometric sequence for 1236?

I defer to Asher.

108 and 324.

Those are both right.

20 points.

Tossup in chemistry.

The presence of what substance causes blue litmus paper to turn red.

Eren.

Base.

Not it, you can steal Maryville.

Madi.

Acid.

And, a chemistry bonus for Maryville.

What is the name for any atom that has more electrons than protons?

Anion.

Yes.

What is the general name for any atom that has more protons than electrons?

Cation.

Both right for 20.

Tossup in literature.

Which queen was the lover of Lancelot?

Madi.

Guinevere.

Yes.

Literature bonus.

Which 16th century poet and playwright's most famous work was The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus?

Answer.

Edgar Allan Poe.

That's Christopher Marlowe.

Marlowe was one of the most famous playwrights, of which era?

Answer.

Romantic.

That's Elizabethan.

Tossup in history.

In which city did Martin Luther King deliver his I Have a Dream speech.

Eren.

Washington, D.C.

And in history bonus; in November 1963, John F Kennedy was assassinated.

In which city?

Dallas.

Yes.

And what was the name of the Texas governor who was severely wounded while riding in the car with the president?

Clint.

No, that's John Connally.

Tossup it for all players in sports.

In which water activity is a rebreather and- Eren.

Scuba diving.

I think you may have gotten right in under the buzzer there with another ten points for scuba diving.

Yeah.

After a back and forth and back and forth, the J. Frank White Academy has hung on to win this exciting game of Scholars Bowl against an outstanding squad from Maryville, one of the two teams that Maryville put into the tournament.

Well, Maryville, I'm sorry that we don't get to see you guys again.

We wish your both of your teams luck.

Of course.

I mean, well, Connor, you got anything you want to say?

Although that we did lose to J. Frank white.

You guys are an amazing team and I hope you guys go on to do well in this series.

Very nice.

Okay.

Meanwhile, that is true J. Frank White Academy.

Eren.

you and the team will advance now to the threshold of 32.

We get to see you again.

Anything you'd like to say?

Yeah.

Your buzzer skills were crazy.

You're buzzing and fast.

I was I was getting really nervous there.

I mean, even though, we did win, it was so close.

Like ten points.

Yeah.

It was it was a really great match.

Thank you.

Well, we look forward to seeing you guys again.

The Knights will be back to play again in the threshold of 32.

You of course, can keep track of them and all of our teams by never missing an episode.

Check your local listings or check your PBS website to find out when Scholars' Bowl is going to be on.

And you can binge watch past episodes and past seasons using the PBS app.

My name is Frank Murphy.

Thank you for watching Tennessee Scholars' Bowl 2026.