Mrs. Yantes has taken over the Quiz Bowl program at Jackson-Milton High School, a program where students compete in a variety of trivial academic challenges. She describes it as being a lot like popular television program Jeopardy!. The transition has been difficult for her, citing her general lack of paperwork as an issue, and the lack of communication between her and any former coaches or supervisors hasn’t made it any easier. 

She has seen the importance of a program like Quiz Bowl, and the need for it keeps her going. When asked about how she has any free time she was quick to mention her children, one of which left home for school just last year, which clears up time for her for an activity like Quiz Bowl. She has a love for trivia, students note how she sometimes drops an obscure bit of knowledge from seemingly nowhere in the middle of a lecture. She was described to me as a ‘well of knowledge,’ no doubt a good trait for a coach of an extracurricular like Quiz Bowl to have.

The turnout has been small so far, 4 or 5 kids consistently coming to practice, but she hasn’t lost hope for the group. When asked why academic extracurriculars fail to bring in numbers like athletic ones, or even specific groups or clubs, she said this shouldn’t be the case. Once again she brought up the comparison to Jeopardy!, saying that the group was meant to be fun, free of drama and “bickering.”

It’s a fairly small group but they have fun with their competitions and always enjoy time together. 

Josh Demski, junior, agrees, he is excited for this year, citing seniors Kent Gross and Brian Royea as big role models for him, and he is looking forward to the season with his friends.  Nathan Smith and Jacob Dudley are also members of the team and all look forward to a great year!