Wednesday, Feb. 08, 2012

Green Hope senior Peter Wu enjoys "rush" before Quiz Bowl tournaments

Green Hope High School senior Peter Wu thrives on competition. The captain of the school's Quiz Bowl team always gets a rush of excitement before tournaments. But tournaments - and studying to prepare for them - aren't the extent of his participation.

Wu has filled both junior and senior years with logistical duties for the two teams at his school: scheduling practices, coaching members and planning transportation and meals at tournament time.

Quiz Bowl pits two teams of four students against each other to answer questions about both academic subjects and pop culture. Wu first participated in Quiz Bowl during his sophomore year, before his family moved to Cary.

February is the start of the spring Quiz Bowl season, and if Green Hope's two teams do well, they will head to Atlanta for nationals. Green Hope's teams have a history of competing in the national tournaments each year.

Wu, who hopes to head to Northwestern University in the fall, can't wait for the challenge.

Q: How much time do you devote to Quiz Bowl, and how many practices do your teams attend?

It really depends on the tournament schedule. We hold more practices during the week when we have a tournament coming up. We coordinate the practices over Facebook and usually meet once a week.

Back in the fall, I looked at the strengths and weaknesses of each member. I wanted a diverse makeup of members' knowledge. During practice, I determine whether or not we're missing certain questions.

If we miss a bunch of questions in practice, I ask that members study a little extra that week. We all try to spend time studying our subject areas independently.

Q: What is your subject area specialty?

I like to handle history and art. But I've been doing Quiz Bowl so long now that I can answer questions on most subjects adequately but not expertly.

Q: What about nationals? Did you go last year? Do you plan to go this year?

We did go to nationals last year, and the year before that, Green Hope also qualified. But I really just try to focus on the team as it is right now.

Q: How do you prepare for the day of the event, and how do you feel as you head into a tournament? Are you stressed?

I get a rush before every tournament, and honestly, I really enjoy it. I like to pit myself against the best minds in the state; it's quite exciting. Before every tournament, I look to see which elite teams are participating so I know what's in store. We hold an intense practice with buzzers the day before the tournament. And I make sure we're registered and that the meals and transportation are set.

Q: What do you get out of participation in Quiz Bowl? Do you plan to do something similar in college?

I would love to participate in College Bowl. My friends who are already in college say it's very fun.

I have been exposed to a wide array of topics, and it's really enhanced my academic career. I never would have known Shakespeare's plays as well as I do, or Milton, or other artists and musicians if I hadn't studied them for Quiz Bowl.

Q: What is your most memorable moment at a tournament?

One of my best memories is going to nationals my sophomore year; it was such a bonding experience with my team. I think every time we go to a tournament as a team, we become better friends and teammates because of what we've done together.

I can't think of any one Quiz Bowl question that stands out, because I've probably heard thousands of questions, but I remember one time, we got one about Pokémon. That really lightened the mood.

Q: What would you say to younger students considering participating in Quiz Bowl?

I'd recommend most students visit a practice, or if their school doesn't have a team, consider starting a team of their own. It seems that there is more and more Quiz Bowl participation cropping up in North Carolina recently. With every tournament, we see new schools that are entering.