Rowe raves about Bessemer Quiz Bowl, Science Olympiad teams

BESSEMER - Science teacher Dave Rowe gave a presentation about the school's Quiz Bowl and Science Olympiad teams to the school board on Monday night.

Two tournaments are held for the Quiz Bowl team. A fall one is held at Gogebic Community College for the "range schools" and the tournament in the spring is regional and held in Marquette, which is usually around 40 to 50 teams, Rowe said.

All participants can go to the GCC tournament, but only four students can go to the regional one and be on television, he said.

Rowe was excited about the success the high school Quiz Bowl team has had so far this year.

"This particular year we've had a lot of firsts," Rowe said. "This is the first year I've ever beat Marquette." He said he has played them twice before since he's been coaching, but has not beat them.

"We eliminated them in the first round, 360 to 210," he said.

He was very happy to have finally beat Marquette and said he was "still beaming" because of the win.

"This is the best team I've ever had," Rowe said. "In fact, there are alternates that I have that would have made other years' teams. It's just an incredibly strong team and lots of fun."

After passing Marquette in the Cerebral Sixteen, the high school Quiz Bowl team is now in the Elite Eight and set to play Gwinn on Feb. 6.

Since Rowe has been coaching, the Bessemer team has been to the Cerebral Sixteen seven times.

"We are definitely one of the better teams in this thing ... year after year," he said. "It's just very fun and exciting."

Rowe thanked the school administration and board for supporting academic-based competitions.

"Many of the kids that are on the Quiz Bowl team ... are not in any sports," Rowe said. "The only sports they do are Quiz Bowl, Science Olympiad, math team ... and this is their football game and they are pumped."

Science Olympiad

The Science Olympiad will take place on Feb. 21.

The students practice on Friday after school and on Saturday morning.

"There are 35 kids on the team," he said. "And since Jan. 3, I have had 131 students show up to practice on Friday after school or Saturday morning." This includes the same kids showing up again and again, Rowe said, which shows how important it is to the students.

They also practice four days a week on their lunch breaks. Rowe said they would practice five days a week, but many students on the team are also in Key club, which meets on Thursdays at lunch.

"This is a great thing for our students," he said. "Its gives kids an outlet. They have a place to belong."

He said these kinds of competitions allow students to be who they really are.

"It gives them a chance to find their niche, find something they're good at," Rowe said.

Support system

Rowe also said he would not be able to keep the programs going if it weren't for the tremendous amount of support he receives from parents.

"I can't do it myself," Rowe said, "A lot of the parents are helping."

He said many parents spend time at home helping students practice for the Science Olympiad, guiding their work.

Rowe also said he was thankful for the community support.

"This community is behind this school," he said. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

At the meeting, the board also agreed to pay expenses for an overnight trip to Marquette for the high school Quiz Bowl team. Rowe said that the Friends and Alumni Association pays for the hotel, but the expense needed is for a substitute teacher for when he is gone on the trip.