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 42nd season of our high school academic tournament, and we are in the threshold of 32, which means that the winner of today's game advances to the smart 16 in our tournament.

And I'm pretty sure that the initials of the winning school will be DB.

The question is, will it be Daniel Boone or Dobyns-Bennett?

We'll find out, of course, at the end of the episode, but we got to start off by meeting and greeting the players from both teams, beginning with Sophie Peterson, a sophomore at Daniel Boone High School.

Welcome back.

Sophie.

Tell us about yourself.

Hi.

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

And what is something about that specifically?

I mean, I've seen the movie ‘Twister.

That's about as far as I've gotten, but there's got to be something more to it that you've studied.

Yes.

Well, it started with the movie, but I have seen the damage that tornadoes can cause.

And above all, I just want to help people as well as learn about tornadoes and how to stop them.

That's fantastic.

A fascinating field to study.

Okay, great.

Ashley Grindstaff is a junior.

Welcome back.

Ashley, what about yourself?

Tell us about you.

One of my biggest hobbies right now is competitive diving.

Really?

I'm assuming into a pool.

I would hope so.

Are we talking on a high school level or a summer league?

This is more for myself.

Our school doesn't have a swim team, so it's more of just myself competing against the people at my club.

Oh that's great.

Well, cool.

Diving can be dangerous if you don't know how to do it right.

Excellent.

Well, let's say hi to Cooper Cassell, a senior.

Welcome back.

Cooper, tell us something about you.

I believe one thing is interesting is, I had the privilege of going to Boise State this year.

Yeah, in Cookeville, I won the title of governor there.

And then I also got sent to Washington, D.C.

to represent Tennessee at Boys Nation.

That's fantastic.

And when you go to D.C., who do you meet with?

Where do you hang out?

What kind of stuff do you do?

Well, we got to go into the white House.

We got to go meet Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Got to meet my senator Marsha Blackburn, and, got to go all around D.C.. It was an incredible experience, really.

So they take care of you when you get up there.

All the Boys Nation winners.

Yes, sir.

Yesterday, they fed us real well, too.

Now, as team captain for the Trailblazers, you will, either answer bonuses or defer by name to one of the ladies on either side of you, including the possibility of Shelby Grimestaff.

Answering bonus.

Shelby, you're a freshman this year.

Tell us about you.

One of my biggest strength is getting into, you know, theater acting.

Pick any play that I might have heard of that you wish you.

Oh, Hamilton.

Okay.

My dream role is Samuel Seabury.

But I always get deferred to Peggy.

Okay, well, you never know.

You might also.

Marie Reynolds, you might get some director with a different vision someday.

All right, let's say hi to the alternates and coach for Daniel Boone High School, Surry Hicks, Jacqueline Nichols and Jocelyn Nichols.

So we got a pair of Nichols there, and, Major Steve Sessis, who is the Marine Corps junior ROTC instructor and coach of the Scholars' Bowl team.

We appreciate Daniel Boone for being here all the way from Gray, Tennessee, taking on a team from Kingsport not too far away, really.

Let's say hi to Dobyns-Bennett High School, beginning with Mulan, Ma, a junior this year.

Tell us something about yourself.

I strongly dislike making dumpling wrappers.

Why is that?

It's very time consuming.

What is a dumpling wrapper made of?

It's just flour and water.

Except you'd be surprised how hard it is to like.

Yes, I am, I. I couldn't do it, so I'm impressed.

All right.

Well.

Very good.

Nice to have you back again this year, along with Abdul Alavi, who is another returning player, another junior for Dobyns-Bennett.

Abdul, tell us about you.

What's new?

So two things; I really like playing bass and my favorite card in Clash Royale is Wizard.

Now, bass, because I'm picturing two different instruments and I don't know which one is yours.

Describe it.

Double bass.

Like orchestral music.

Like stand up?

Oh, okay.

Oh, really?

You play classical.

What's something you've played recently or learned pretty well?

So I'm playing with the ETSU Symphony Orchestra.

One of the pieces we're playing is this is Aaron Copland's Outdoor Overture.

Great.

All right.

Well very cool.

I'm glad to hear about that.

And congratulations on playing with a college level orchestra.

That's nice.

Team captain for Dobyns-Bennett is Eesha Katara, you're a senior this year.

Were sure we're happy to have you back.

too.

Tell us about yourself.

So my sticker collection has grown since the last time I was on the show.

And I think last time I was on the show, I had 36. now I have over 50.

It's gotten so many that I filled up the top screen of like the top of the laptop, and I've had to start moving to stickers on the bottom because I don't have room anymore.

And as a team captain, this year, you're going to answer bonuses or defer to one of your teammates.

When need be, but make sure you do it by name so that we know what to expect.

And then also senior Emery Corpstein is here.

Emery.

Welcome back.

Tell us about you.

I have to say that my favorite gas station is Buc-ees.

That is actually a tradition for our Scholars' Bowl team that every time we come to the competition, whether it's going here or leaving, we always go by Buc-ee's.

now, I also enjoy Buc-ee's, and I would describe it as a theme park gift shop without the theme park.

That is very accurate, with a wonderful selection of jerky.

All right, well, I appreciate your being here.

Let's say hi to the alternates and coach for Dobyns-Bennett High School.

We've got Arush Nagray, and Tom Barrera, Eli Garrett, and coach Joshua French, who teaches U.S.

history and AP human geography to the Indians of Dobyns-Bennett, you all know how the game is played.

Some of you have won your way here, obviously.

So we've got tossups worth 10, bonuses worth 20.

Players get your fingers on the buzzer for this threshold of 32 round game of Tennessee Scholars' Bowl 2026.

Tossup for all players in health.

What is the condition in which the temperature of the human body is below normal due to cold- Mulan.

Hypothermia.

-Cold exposure?

And a health bonus for Dobyns-Bennett.

What two words do the letters in the food additive MSG represent?

Defer to Abdul.

Monosodium glutamate.

Correct.

What three words do the letters GMO represent?

Defer to Emery.

Genetically Modified Organism.

is right, 20 on the bonus.

Tossup in vocabulary.

How many times is the letter S used in the word “possessionless”?

Emery.

Six.

Correct.

Vocabulary bonus.

What six letter word beginning with L can be a verb or a noun, and means to express sorrow or to grieve?

Lament.

Is right for 20.

Tossup in geography.

Which Tennessee City is nicknamed ‘Music City?

Emery.

Nashville.

Correct.

Geography bonus.

Which state's nickname is the ‘Keystone State?

Florida.

That's Pennsylvania.

Which state's nickname is ‘The Garden State?

New Jersey.

Ten points on the bonus.

Tossup in music.

What kind of musical note is made up of a black and circle attached to a vertical stem?

Mulan.

Quarter.

Yeah, and a music bonus.

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

E major.

Correct for ten.

What is the major key for an instrument like a piano when the key signature has one flat?

F major.

Is right.

20 points.

Tossup in geometry.

Find the area of a rhombus with diagonals measuring seven and 12m.

Emery.

42.

Yeah, 42m is right.

And a bonus now, in geometry.

The measurement of one of two complementary angles is two degrees less than three times the measurement of the other angle.

What is the measurement of each angle?

23 and 67.

Those are both right.

20 points.

Tossup for all players in chemistry.

What is the most common element in Earth's atmosphere?

Emery.

Aluminum.

Not it, you can steal, Daniel Boone.

Ashley.

Nitrogen.

Is right and it gets you a chemistry bonus.

Take a look at the screens for this one please.

What is the name for the piece of laboratory equipment shown here that was named after the German chemist who invented it?

Beaker.

That's called an ‘erlenmeyer flask.

No points on that.

Tossup in literature.

What is the name of the fictional character who is the main protagonist of the novel ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame?

Ashley.

Quasimoto.

Right, and the literature bonus.

Which of Homer's epic poems recounts the arduous journey of a king returning from war?

Odyssey.

Right for ten.

From which war is he returning?

Trojan.

Also right.

20 on the bonus.

Tossup now in government for everyone.

What is the term for fair treatment through the normal judicial- Emery.

Due process.

-System, especially as a citizens entitlement?

Government bonus for Dobyn-Bennett.

If a state has three U.S.

representatives, how many votes does that state have in the Electoral College?

Five.

Is right for ten points.

And who reads the electoral votes before both houses of Congress?

Defer to Abdul.

Vice President.

Yes.

Yeah.

Also known as the ‘President of the Senate.

We'll take both answers.

20 points.

Tossup for all players in religion.

Who was the first pope of the Roman Catholic Church?

Emery.

Saint Peter.

Is correct, and a religion bonus now.

In the Gospel of John, what was the name of the brother of Martha and Mary who was raised from the dead by Jesus?

Lazarus.

Is right.

20 points.

Tossup in spelling.

Spell the word for a hemmed square of thin fabric intended for personal hygiene purposes, such as blowing- Mulan.

H-A-N-D-K-E-R-C-H-I-E-F.

Yeah, you blow your nose with a handkerchief.

That's right.

And a bonus in spelling for Dobyns-Bennett.

Two parts.

Spell the word ‘Pharaoh, as in a ruler of a kingdom.

I defer to Emery.

P-H-A-R-A-O-H.

Right.

And now spell the word ‘monarch, as in a sovereign head of state.

M-O-N-A-R-C-H.

Both of those are right, and you get 20 points.

Toss up now in astronomy.

What is the name of the single point of light that we see as the North Star?

That is actually- Abdul.

Sirius.

-Actually a triple star system, or three stars orbiting a common center of mass?

Chance to steal, Daniel Boone.

That's ‘Polaris.

Tossup now for all players in foreign language.

What is the English translation of the French phrase, “au revoir”?

Emery.

Goodbye.

Yeah, ‘goodbye or ‘until we see each other again.

Foreign language bonus for Dobyn-Bennett.

What is the word for “good afternoon” in Japanese?

Kon'nichiwa.

Correct.

What is the word for “goodbye” in Japanese?

Kon'nichiwa.

Sayonara.

You're really surprised about ‘konnichiwa.

Where'd you pull that out of?

Toss up for all players in U.S.

history.

In October 1947, captain Chuck Yeager became the first pilot to fly faster than what?

Cooper.

The speed of light.

No, chance to steal, Eesha.

The speed of sound.

Yeah.

Mach one or the speed of sound is right.

History bonus now for Dobyns-Bennett.

In 1927, the first Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded, to which pilot who made the first nonstop flight from Long Island to Paris, France.

Defer to Abdul.

Lindbergh.

Yeah.

Charles Lindbergh.

And now taking half the question.

What was the name of his airplane?

Answer.

Enola Gay.

You know, you can see it in the Smithsonian.

It's the ‘Spirit of Saint Louis.

Ten points on the bonus.

Tossup now in games.

What arcade game features Jumpman climbing platforms- Emery.

Donkey Kong.

-To rescue Pauline from a giant ape?

games bonus for Dobyns-Bennett.

What board game involves players conquering their enemy's territory by building an army on adjacent territories?

Risk.

Is right for 20.

Tossup now in math.

What are the next three numbers in the sequence?

12, 9, 6, 3... Emery.

Zero, negative three, negative six.

Is right and a visual math bonus now.

Take a look at the screens.

Solve the equation.

Six minus the quantity eight Y plus eight equals two minus eight for the variable Y. One half.

Is correct for 20 points.

Tossup now in biology.

What human features have arches, loops, whorls- Emery.

Fingerprints.

-Islands and dots?

And a biology bonus for Dobyns-Bennett.

What is the sheath of cells and connective tissue which surrounds the root of a hair?

Follicle.

Is right for 20.

Tossup in arts.

Which Pixar animated film follows a 12 year old boy named Miguel, who is accidentally- Ashley.

Coco.

Yeah, transported to the land of the dead?

Arts bonus for Daniel Boone.

In August 2025, fans arrived early at Yankee Stadium to claim a free bobblehead, many of which were sold on eBay during the actual ball game that depicted George Costanza taking a nap, as seen in which 1990s TV sitcom?

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

That was from a TV show called ‘Seinfeld, so no points on that.

Tossup In economics.

What is the term for a company's income generated by the sale- Emery.

Revenue.

-Of goods and services?

Economics bonus for Dobyns-Bennett.

What is the birthstone for the month of May?

Emerald.

Right for ten.

What is the birthstone for the month of July?

Ruby.

Also right.

20 points.

Tossup in architecture.

Louis Henry Sullivan used the credo, “form follows function,” and has been called the father of what type of buildings known for their height?

Abdul.

Bathhouse.

Not it, you can steal, Ashley.

Skyscrapers.

Correct.

And an architecture bonus for Daniel Boone.

What type of civic buildings did Andrew Carnegie donate money to build in the 19th century?

Schools.

He was big on libraries.

No points there.

Tossup in vocabulary.

Finish this phrase.

“The pen is mightier than the...?” Emery.

Sword.

Yes, and a vocabulary bonus for Dobyns-Bennett.

What word beginning with B refers to a sum paid for killing or capturing a person or animal, or a brand of paper towels?

Bounty.

Is also right.

20 points on there.

Tossup now in science.

What name is given to the change in frequency of a wave when the distance between a wave source and its receiver- Ashley.

Amplitude.

-That changes?

The distance changes.

Mulan.

Doppler effect.

Is what it is and a science bonus now.

What type of clouds are described as layered clouds from which precipitation occurs?

Nimbostratus.

Is right, and the second half a question we don't have time for, so you get ten points on that bonus.

There was another ten that we'll have to save for another time, but right now Dobyns-Bennett is doing their best to run up an impossible lead.

Can it be surmounted?

Can Daniel Boone catch up and advance to the smart 16?

Well, I don't know yet.

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 threshold of 32 round match between Daniel Boone High School, they've got the Trailblazers and Dobyns-Bennett High School, the Indians of Kingsport, Tennessee.

One of these teams will advance to the smart 16.

Right now Dobyns-Bennett's run in the lead, but Daniel Boone has brought an alternate into the game.

Let's say hi to senior Jacqueline Nichols.

Welcome back, Jacqueline.

You've been here before.

Tell us about yourself.

What's new?

I am a member of our school's Marine Corps JROTC.

I'm the captain of that.

Oh, really?

So you get to boss people like Cooper around in that situation?

Pretty much.

Yeah.

Fantastic.

All right, well, good luck with that.

I hope it works out for you.

Meanwhile, on the Dobyns-Bennett side, we welcome junior Anton Barrera who played last year, as I recall.

Welcome back, Anton.

Tell us about yourself.

I really like ducks.

There are so many varieties of ducks.

Not that I've been studying ducks for future Scholars' Bowl questions, but maybe I have.

Name a breed of ducks that you like.

Just the standard American duck.

The one you can find with the green feathers on the side.

Well very good.

All right, let's get back to it, everybody.

It's the threshold of 32.

Winner advances to the smart 16.

Fingers on the buzzer for Tennessee Scholars Bowl 2026.

Tossup for all players in English.

Give the comparative form of the adjective “handsome.” Emery.

Handsomer.

Not it, you can steal, Cooper.

More handsome.

Correct.

English bonus now.

Using the letters in the word “three,” T-H-R-E-E, identify a word that can mean the upper regions of space, and a word that means in or at that place.

Answer, Cooper.

First one is ‘reef.

Second one is ‘there.

‘There is correct for in that place, but the upper regions of space would be the ‘ether.

Ten points on the bonus.

Tossup in geography.

Which country is made up of the large islands of Honshu, Shikoku- Ashley.

Japan.

Yeah, Kyushu and Hokkaido?

And geography bonus now.

What is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea?

Sicily.

Is right for ten.

Sicily belongs to which European country?

Italy.

Also right, 20 total on the bonus.

Tossup in technology.

What is the term for a small piece of code that is capable of replicating itself and spreading to other computers?

Eesha.

Malware.

Not it, you can steal, Shelby.

Virus.

Yeah.

Specific type of malware known as a virus.

Technology bonus.

In 1997, which U.S.

president's inauguration became the first to be streamed live on the internet?

Bill Clinton.

In 1997, thats exactly right, 20 points.

Tossup in sports.

In swimming, which event does the abbreviation ‘I.M represent?

Anton.

Intermediate medley.

Not it, you can steal, Daniel Boone.

It's ‘individual medley.

No points on that.

Tossup in geology.

Blackboard chalk and many brands of chewable antacid tablets contain calcium carbonate, which is mined from what sedimentary rock?

Abdul.

Limestone.

Right, and a geology bonus.

What are two of the four most plentiful elements in the Earth's crust?

Aluminum and silicon.

Are both right with oxygen and iron being the other two.

Tossup for all players in foreign language.

Which capital letter in the Greek alphabet is in the form of a triangle?

Cooper.

Alpha.

Not it, you can steal, Emery.

Delta.

Delta looks like a triangle, and a foreign language visual bonus for Dobyns-Bennett.

Take a look at the screens, please.

What word is represented here by American Sign Language Fingerspelling?

Love.

No that one is ‘make, M-A-K-E.

Tossup for all players in history.

Which French explorer named Canada while exploring the Saint Lawrence- Emery.

Hudson.

-While exploring the Saint Lawrence River?

Chance to steal, Daniel Boone.

Not so fancy as ‘Jacques Cartier, was the explorer who came up with Canada's name.

No points on that.

Tossup in religion.

What volcanic mountain is sacred to followers of Shinto?

Emery.

Fuji.

And a religion bonus now.

This is a day when Southeast Asian countries commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and death of which religious figure?

Buddha.

That's right.

20 points.

Tossup now in algebra.

The statement, “the quantity of A plus b plus c equals A plus the quantity of b plus c,” illustrates which property of addition?

Abdul.

Commutative.

Not it, you can steal, Daniel Boone.

Ashley.

Cumulative.

No, it's the ‘associative property.

Toss up in health.

What does a hematologist study?

Ashley.

Blood.

And a health bonus for Daniel Boone.

What childhood disease caused by the varicella zoster virus results in an itchy rash with small, fluid filled blisters?

Chickenpox.

Right for ten.

What painful disease for adults is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus?

Shingles.

Also right, 20 on that bonus.

Tossup now in mythology.

In Greek mythology, which galley did Jason command in his search- Anton.

The Argo.

Yeah, for the Golden Fleece?

And a bonus now in mythology for Dobyns-Bennett.

What is the name of the mythical serpent king that causes instant death with a single stare?

Basilisk.

Right for ten.

Which Harry Potter book and film includes a basilisk hidden below Hogwarts?

The Chamber of Secrets.

Also right, 20 on that.

Tossup now in government.

What is the process in which the legitimacy of a will is established?

Emery.

Probate court.

Right and a government bonus now.

Which two rights are provided for by Miranda versus Arizona?

The right to remain silent and right to an attorney.

Those are both right.

20 points there.

Tossup for all players in art.

In which building in Vatican City is Michelangelo's- Emery.

That would be the hall.

Oh, my.

No.

Yeah, you missed it.

In which building in Vatican City is Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam?

Chance to steal, Daniel Boone.

Cooper.

Saint Peter's Basilica.

No, it's the Sistine Chapel.

Tossup now in vocabulary.

What seven letter word beginning with E means a pithy saying or remark expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way?

Emery.

Euphemism.

No, chance to steal, Daniel Boone.

Ashley Exclamation.

No, that seven letter word is ‘epigram.

Tossup in chemistry.

Which chemical compound is a gas that smells of rotten eggs and has the formula- Ashley.

Sulfur.

-And has the formula H2S?

Chance to steal, Dobyns-Bennett.

Abdul.

Hydrogen sulfide.

Yes, and a chemistry bonus.

Although steps have been taken to reduce exposure, certain pipes that carry drinking water to older homes may contain which element with the symbol PB?

Lead.

The symbol for lead comes from what Latin word?

Plum Bum.

Also right, 20 points.

Tossup in literature.

How many lines are in a Limerick?

Emery.

Five.

And a literature bonus.

Who wrote in his book ‘Walden, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer”?

Defer to Emery.

Thoreau.

Yeah, Henry David Thoreau.

20 points.

Tossup in geography.

Which river runs through Nashville, Tennessee?

Eesha.

Clinch.

Not it, you can steal, Ashley.

Tennessee.

The Cumberland River.

Tossup for all players in music.

Which rock band popular in the 70s and 80s, shares its name with a river that forms the boundary between Earth and the underworld in Greek mythology?

Ashley.

Styx.

Is right, and and music bonus for Daniel Boone.

Which alumnus of Gibbs High School appeared as a contestant on season six of The Voice and has become a superstar with albums including ‘I'm the Problem and ‘One Thing at a Time?

Alicia Keys.

That is Morgan Wallen.

No points there.

Tossup for all players in math.

What is the square root of 100 times the fourth- Emery.

30.

-The fourth root of 81.

Did we use this question before?

Maybe.

A math bonus now.

Express the following binary number as a base ten number; 10110.

22.

Is correct.

20 points.

Tossup for all players in physics.

What is the form of energy that an object or a particle possesses due to its motion?

Emery.

Kinetic.

Yes.

Physics bonus.

What is the subfield of physics that describes the physical behavior of particles, including atoms, electrons, photons, and almost everything in the molecular and submolecular realm?

Quantum physics.

No, it's ‘quantum mechanics.

No points on that.

Tossup in foreign language.

What is the official language of the Netherlands?

Abdul.

Dutch.

And a foreign language bonus for Dobyns-Bennett.

Name two of the four countries where Swahili is a national language.

Kenya and Uganda.

Those are both right.

Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are the other two.

20 points on the bonus.

Tossup in history.

Before becoming president, Jimmy Carter was governor, of which state?

Cooper.

Georgia.

And a history bonus for Daniel Boone.

Which president served in the U.S.

House of Representatives after he left the White House?

James K. Polk.

It was John Quincy Adams.

Which president served in the U.S.

Senate after he left the White House?

Answer.

William McKinley.

That one was Andrew Johnson.

No points on the bonus.

Tossup in sports.

In American football, how many points are awarded for- Ashley.

Six.

-A field goal?

Chance to steal, Emery.

Three.

And a sports bonus.

What is the team name for the athletic program at the University of Texas?

Longhorns.

Right for ten.

What is the team name for the athletic program at the University of Michigan?

Wolverines.

Thats also right.

20 in the bonus.

Spelling tossup.

A word meaning a movement or a series of moves requiring skill and care is a maneuver.

Spell, “maneuver.” Emery.

M-A-N-E-U-V-E-R.

Is right as time runs out.

You get ten more points.

So congratulations on that to Dobyns-Bennett for advancing now to our round of the smart 16.

Daniel Boone, some well-played games.

We appreciate you guys being here.

Congratulations to your seniors.

Although we'll never see you again I'm sure you'll do well.

And to the underclassmen we look forward to seeing you next year on Scholars Bowl.

Cooper?

Well, I thank you again for holding this competition.

Thank you Major Sessis for bringing us down here, but y'all did great.

Let me just tell you.

I don't even think any of y'all are past 18.

You've got 20 years experience already.

All right.

We do appreciate you guys from Daniel Boone and congratulations, Dobyns-Bennett.

We'll see you again in the round of the smart 16.

Eesha?

Yeah.

Thank you for hosting the show and you guys did really awesome.

You guys definitely like gave us a run for our money.

Yeah.

You obviously been studying those past episodes by watching online at the PBS app.

As you can do as well.

You can follow all the progress of our teams.

Check your local listings, don't miss an episode, binge watch past seasons online on the PBS app.

Thanks again for watching.

This is Tennessee Scholars' Bowl 2026.

I'm Frank Murphy.