Due to district budget cuts, SPECTRA teacher and Scholar Quiz Bowl coach, Mrs. Sharon King, is encountering multiple obstacles in getting this year’s season up and going. The SPECTRA program was cut significantly, so much so, that King now teaches the 2nd half of the day at Saeger middle school. In turn, she does not get out of work until 3:15; when the students involved in scholar quiz bowl at Francis Howell Central finish school at 2:20.

“I’m rebuilding the team this year, quite a few students graduated last year, but I’m confident we will be able to replace them and get this year going in a timely fashion,” King said.

The first meeting is scheduled for two weeks from now, captains will be chosen and teams will be compiled. Practices are every other week on Tuesday, but because of scheduling problems, a time has yet to be determined. In addition, this year the quiz bowl team can go to no more than 14 competitions this year due to lack of funding.

“Our season starts Oct 1. Because we are MSHSAA sanctioned, we can’t do any competing until that date or we will be disqualified,” King said.

On a brighter note, the team got the go from Activities Director Scott Harris to purchase a new buzzer system to replace the previously used eight-year-old piece of buzzer equipment. Both King and previous scholar quiz bowl athletes are excited to start the season and hope to rank high in tournaments throughout the season.

“We go to have a good time, it’s not cutthroat. Most everybody looks at scholar quiz bowl as a learning experience and a great opportunity for kids throughout the area,” said King.