Once an underrepresented club at Saint Paul’s, the Saint Paul’s Quiz Bowl Team’s recent change of hands to moderator Mrs. Kim Gardner has increased its popularity among students. 

Gardner has increased the player base and made the club more accessible and friendlier for underclassmen, and this year’s team is expected to be strong.  

Quiz Bowl practices occur twice a week, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Two teams are chosen and compete head-to-head in various areas of knowledge, including history, literature, fine arts, pop culture, current events, sports, and more.

Each official match consists of 20 toss-up questions, with the possibility of earning 10 to 15 points per question. To earn 15 points, a team must answer the question early in a time period known as “Power.”

The team is expected to participate in 4 to 6 events in the 2024-25 school year after a successful season last year, during which they placed at the top of their brackets in many competitions.

Saint Paul’s recently hosted the annual Brother Bill Parsons Memorial Tournament, which was a huge success. Schools from all over Louisiana – even one from Mississippi – came to participate. The Brother Bill Parsons Memorial Tournament is one of the most prestigious events on the local Quiz Bowl stage, where the Wolves expect to dominate the buzzer. The competition honors one of Saint Paul’s most loved and respected faculty members, Brother Bill Parsons, FSC. Brother Bill was the English department chair for many years and continues to inspire and influence teachers and students today.

Quiz Bowl senior captain Owen Paddock shared his thoughts on the 2024-25 season: “I have seen more enthusiasm and participation this year compared to previous years. We practice twice a week. I think we’re ready,” said Paddock. A Saint Paul’s “quizlete” since his pre-freshman year, Paddock was 4th best scorer at the Mount Carmel Invitational tournament and is a National Merit Semifinalist.

Quiz Bowl senior captain and National Merit Semifinalist Sean Lenahan did not expect to be a full-fledged “quizlete” when he first attended meetings. “I stumbled upon it with some friends, but as I attended more practices, I enjoyed the people and the competition more and more. Being a part of the team has been a highlight of my Saint Paul’s career, and I hope to see the club succeed after we graduate,” said Lenahan.

The Quiz Bowl Team has made a significant impact on this year’s senior class, helping revive the club. Members like Lenahan and Paddock are joined by a slew of others eager to keep the momentum going with consistent practices. These practices unite the class of ’25 and welcome and include members from various grades. Overall, the team comprises more than 20 “quizletes” and is always looking for new members to join.

“The weekly practices with my classmates have really brought us closer together,” said freshman Dev Patel, who is also a basketball player. Being able to put his “random knowledge” to the test makes the club one of his most cherished extracurricular activities.

The Saint Paul’s Quiz Bowl Team is one of the school’s longest-running clubs, and the team looks forward to future seasons and success under Gardner’s leadership.

If you have any questions or are interested in joining the club, please contact Mrs. Gardner.