This program is brought to you in part by the Erika Lewis Endowment Fund.

Coming up next, it's Greenspun... (applause) and Becker.

(applause) This is the Junior Varsity Quiz Championship!

(crashing sound) ♪♪♪ (cheers and applause) Hello, and welcome.

The 53rd season of Varsity Quiz continues now with Jr.

Varsity Quiz.

I'm honored to be your host, Nathan Tannenbaum.

So back in February, 19 middle and junior high school teams competed in a virtual JVQ league.

Back in March, 23 middle school and junior high school teams competed in a one-day tournament over at the Veterans Tribute Academy.

Well, Greenspun defeated Lied Middle School to get here to the championship, and Becker defeated Faiss Middle School.

Let's go ahead and get going here.

We're going to meet our players starting with Greenspun, there's Ektor.

Hi, Ektor.

-Hello.

-Nice to see you here.

There's Evelyn.

Hi, Evelyn.

-Hi.

-There's Wyland.

Hi, Wyland.

-Hi.

-Nice to see you here.

And there's Casey.

-Hi.

-And the coach for Greenspun, Jeannie Schlotter.

That's our team from Greenspun!

(applause) Okay.

Let's meet the players from Becker.

We'll start with Brooke.

Hey, Brooke.

-Hi.

-Nice to see you.

Avery, howdy.

-Hi.

-There's Owen.

-Hello.

-And William.

-Hello.

-And the coach for Becker, Nicole Poling.

The students from Becker Middle School!

(applause) All right.

Students, are you ready?

Let's play Jr.

Varsity Quiz.

What is indicated by the German tempo marking called "schnell," which is the same as the Italian "allegro"?

Greenspun, Evelyn: Quickly.

Judges, can we accept that?

Yes.

That is points on the board for Greenspun.

Next question.

During what month does the Long Night Moon occur in Honduras?

Greenspun, Wyland: August.

Incorrect.

Becker, Owen: May.

No.

The answer is December.

No points and we move on to a calculation question.

The Moon's density is 3.3 grams per cubic centimeter, while the Earth's density is 5.5 grams per cubic centimeter.

To the nearest tenth, how many times more dense than the Moon is our planet?

(bell chimes, time expires) No answer.

We were looking for 1.7.

We move on.

When you shake a little salt into the flame of a candle, you see the flame turn yellow.

Heating of what element in the salt causes this?

Greenspun, Casey: Sodium.

Yes.

Next question.

Hudson's Bay Company was initially based upon what one North American commodity from an animal of the area?

Becker, William: Beaver.

Can we accept that?

Points on the board for Becker.

Next question.

"I believe that it is as much a right "and duty for women to do something "with their lives as for men."

This quote is by which early American author of Little Women and Little Men?

Becker, Avery: Louisa May Alcott.

Yes.

Next question.

What's the total number of the Wonders of the Ancient World?

Becker, Owen: Seven.

Yes.

What activity are people probably involved in when they use terms like criss cross, side swing and double dutch?

Becker, Avery: Jump rope.

Yes.

From the Nahuatl we get this word that originally meant "bitter water," as it was generally served as an unsweetened drink.

Today it ranges from sweet to semisweet to extra dark, less sweet and is a favorite in dessert foods.

Becker, Owen: Soda.

No.

Greenspun, Wyland: Chocolate.

Yes.

A little bit louder, you guys.

We got you, but keep it a little louder.

Next question.

The scenic Columbia River Gorge is located between what two Western states?

Greenspun, Ektor: Washington and Oregon.

Yes.

Next question.

It was discovered accidentally in the 15th century by a great seaman looking for something else.

When discovered, it wasn't wanted.

Most of the exploration for the next 50 years was done in the hope of getting around it.

So what is it?

Greenspun, Ektor: America.

Yes.

Next question.

Jessie went to Computer World and bought a new external hard drive priced at $46.

At checkout he had to pay $48.46 to complete the sale.

What's that extra $2.46?

Becker, Owen: Tax.

Judges?

We need more information.

-Taxation.

-I don't think we can accept that so we'll go with Greenspun, Ektor: Sales tax.

Yes, that's what we were looking for.

Points for Greenspun on that one, and we move on to a calculation question.

In an election for mayor, 656 people voted.

Jill Jablonski beat her only rival by the smallest majority possible.

How many votes did she get?

Becker, Owen: 329.

Yes.

Next question.

Many suggest that for the Olympics to survive geopolitical wars, there should be a permanent site.

What country is often cited as the most likely choice?

Becker, Brooke: France.

No.

Greenspun, Ektor: Greece.

Yes.

Next question.

Between New Brunswick, Quebec, New Hampshire and the Atlantic Ocean is what U.S. state?

Becker, Owen: Vermont.

No.

Greenspun, Wyland: Alaska.

Incorrect.

We were looking for Maine.

Next question.

In The Arabian Nights, we read of Aladdin and his lamp, Ali Baba and the thieves, and the seven voyages of what sailor?

(bell chimes, time expires) Oh, you guys don't remember Sinbad?

Next question.

What hyphenated adjective describes the exceptionally long, curved, maxillary canine teeth of certain extinct predatory felines of the Eocene and Pleistocene epochs?

Becker, Owen: Saber-toothed.

Yes.

Next question.

The word "squiggle" is a blend of "squirm" and what other verb?

Greenspun, Evelyn: Wiggle.

Yes.

Next question.

Having occupied the presidency into an unprecedented fourth term from the Great-- Greenspun, Ektor: Franklin Roosevelt.

Yes.

What field of the social sciences deals with labor, capital, resources, manufacturing, production, trade, distribution and the consumption of goods and services?

Becker, Owen: Economics.

Yes.

What kind of painting practiced by Tibetan monks and Native Americans of the U.S. Southwest involves the placement of small, loose colorful grains of disintegrated rock to produce patterns and pictures?

Becker, William: Murals.

No.

Greenspun, Wyland: Mosaic.

No.

It's called sand painting.

No points and we move on.

Pick any whole number and write it as a word.

Then you count the number of letters in the word and write that number as a word.

Count the number of letters in that word and write it as a word.

So eventually, you're going to end up with what number?

Greenspun, Evelyn: Four.

Yes.

What cartilaginous oceanic fish have barbs on their long narrow tails by which they can inject venom in self-defense?

Greenspun, Evelyn: Stingrays.

Yes.

Little bit louder, you kids.

Can't hear you so well.

The Third Symphony of this great composer was originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte until he proclaimed himself emperor.

The dedication was then changed by which of the three "B" composers?

Becker, Owen: Beethoven.

Yes.

This small New Jersey Catholic college became the first 15-seed team to reach-- Becker, Brooke: St. Peter's.

Yes.

All right.

We've come to the end of the first round, but before we move on, we want to learn a little bit more about our players.

You guys did a great job.

Let's start with Greenspun.

We're going to say hello to eighth grader Ektor.

Hi, Ektor.

-Hello.

-So you wrote that you were born not in the United States.

Where were you born?

-Greece.

-And when did you come to the United States?

-2013.

-Okay.

How do you like it so far?

-Fine.

-Okay.

Well, good luck with that and on Jr.

Varsity Quiz.

Nice to have you here, Ektor.

Here's seventh grader Evelyn.

Hi, Evelyn.

-Hi.

-Nice to have you here.

It says here you like to do bird watching.

Where do you do that?

-There's the Henderson Birdwatching Park that I go to.

-Okay.

Have you seen a spectacular bird that you remember more than any others?

-No.

-You just like looking at the birds.

-Yes.

-Okay.

Well, good luck with that and here on Jr.

Varsity Quiz.

Here's eighth grader Wyland.

Hi, Wyland.

-Hi.

-Good to have you here.

So, you know, having an addiction is actually a very serious thing and we don't want to make light of it, but you wrote that you have a specific addiction that I think we can talk about.

Do you remember what you wrote?

-Yes, I think so.

-What are you addicted to, Wyland?

-Breathing.

-He's addicted to breathing.

He says I haven't been able to stop for more than two minutes since birth.

Wyland, I suggest you keep that up.

-Yes.

-Good luck with that breathing thing, and good luck here on Jr.

Varsity Quiz.

Thank you, sir.

Here's eighth grader Casey.

Hi, Casey.

-Hi.

-Nice to have you here.

It says here you like to go fishing.

-Yes.

-Do you have a favorite fishing spot?

-Just somewhere in Minnesota.

-Pardon me?

-Somewhere in Minnesota.

-Oh, Minnesota.

And is there a big fish that you've caught or you just enjoy fishing?

-Biggest I can remember is a 30-inch fish.

-Wow!

Pretty good.

All right, Casey.

We're glad to have you here.

Ladies and gentlemen, that's our team from Greenspun.

Good to have you guys here!

(applause) All right.

Let's get to know our players from Becker Middle School.

We'll start with eighth grader Brooke.

Hi, Brooke.

-Hi.

-Nice to have you here.

It says you play soccer.

-Yes.

-How long have you been doing that?

-Since I was like two or three.

-Do you have a specific position that you play or do you rotate around?

-I usually play center back or outside back.

-So you're not really all the way into scoring, but you set plays up, is that what you do?

-Yes.

-Awesome.

Well, good luck with the soccer and here on Jr.

Varsity Quiz.

Thanks, Brooke.

Here's eighth grader Avery.

Hi, Avery.

-Hi.

-It says you play a sport too.

Do you remember what you wrote?

-Yes, I play lacrosse.

-Wow!

That's pretty awesome.

Is there a lacrosse team at Becker or is this just a club sport?

-No.

I play for the Junior Lady Panthers.

-Okay.

Is there a position you play for them?

-I usually play attack.

-Okay, go get 'em!

Good luck with the lacrosse and good luck here on Jr.

Varsity Quiz.

Thanks, Avery.

Here's eighth grader Owen.

Hi, Owen.

-Hello.

-Nice to have you here.

Apparently you are seriously into soccer, because you wrote something here that I can't believe.

Do you remember what you wrote?

-Yes.

-What did you write?

-I can name the winner of every World Cup, and I know over a thousand soccer teams.

-Wow!

How many World Cups have there been?

-Twenty-one, I think.

-Okay.

We won't ask you to get into that.

-It's okay.

-But enjoy your soccer fandom and good luck here on Jr.

Varsity Quiz.

Nice to have you here.

And here's eighth grader William.

Hi, William.

-Hello.

-Good to have you here.

I don't even understand what this means, so I'm going to ask you to explain.

What is a ranking of flags?

-I have a ranking of my opinion of what flag is better than the others.

-Of countries' flags or cities' flags?

-It doesn't matter.

If it's a flag, it's a flag.

-Is there one flag that's better than any other flag you've ever seen?

-Seychelles Island.

-Oh, the Seychelles.

-Yes.

-Okay.

Well, good luck with the flag ranking, and it's nice to have you here.

Ladies and gentlemen, our team from Becker Middle School!

(applause) All right.

We're going to be right back with the bonus round.

(crashing sound) As we begin round two, the score is Greenspun 55 and Becker 45.

Kind of a close match.

For Greenspun, we have one new player.

It's Creedence.

Hi, Creedence.

-Hi.

-Welcome, good to have you here.

We have two new players for Becker.

There's Brenna.

Hi, Brenna.

-Hi.

-And Kingston.

Hey, Kingston.

And Brendan.

There we go.

I was just checking.

What city is indicated in this newspaper headline from 1945: Shell of German Capital Yielded to Red Army-- Greenspun, Ektor: Berlin.

Yes.

Bonus questions for Greenspun only.

Answer the following associated with history: First, what synonym for murder relates to these people's deaths: Archduke Ferdinand, Mahatma Gandhi, William McKinley, Abraham Lincoln and John Kennedy?

Second, most catastrophic oil spills are associated with accidents involving what kind of vessels made to hold large quantities of fluid?

We have our answers.

-Go, captain.

-Assassination and oil tanker.

-Assassination is correct, and I believe-- can we accept-- yes, okay, very good.

So you got bonus points.

This question now for both teams.

Given the velocity of a body, how can you determine how far it travels during a time interval?

Becker, Kingston: Multiply it by its distance.

Judge?

I don't think that's correct.

(bell chimes, time expires) We were looking for multiply velocity by time.

So no bonus points, no points at all.

We move on to this question for both teams.

How many members of the United States Senate are from states including and adjacent to Florida?

Greenspun, Ektor: Six.

Yes.

Bonus questions now for Greenspun.

Answer the following about government: First, while the Founders were people instrumental in establishing the United States, what's the corresponding term for those who met in Philadelphia in 1787 to write the Constitution?

Second, what is the collective name for bodies such as national assemblies, parliaments, councils and congresses, a name related to their branch of government?

Our answers are Founding Fathers and conventions.

Both are incorrect.

We were looking for framers and legislatures.

So no bonus points.

Now this question for both teams.

It is a calculation question, students.

Given that both X and Y equal -2, what is the value of (X cubed - 1) divided by (Y - 1)?

Greenspun, Wyland: Negative 1.

That is incorrect.

I'll finish repeating.

What is the value of (X cubed - 1) divided by (Y - 1)?

Becker, Brenna: Negative 11.

No.

We were looking for 3, so no points, no bonus questions.

Here we go to the next for both teams here.

This work by Einhard illustrates what genre: Life of Charlemagne.

Becker, Owen: Biography.

Yes, sir.

Now bonus questions for Becker only.

Answer the following about literature: First, these books are examples of what genre?

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, How to Win Friends and Influence People, Oh, the Joy of Conversation and the Art of Living Joyfully.

And then your second question, what story by Hans Christian Andersen could relate to an unpromising child who develops into a successful adult?

For number one, we have self-help.

And for number two, we have autobiography.

Self-help is correct.

The second correct answer would have been The Ugly Duckling.

So you get some bonus points, and now this question for both teams.

The following list of companies were what kind of businesses: Denver and Rio Grande, Missouri Pacific and the Great Northern Southern Pacific?

Greenspun, Wyland: Railroad companies.

Yes.

Bonus questions for Greenspun only.

Answer the following about history: First, the American colonists were disturbed by the British attempts to impose taxes on them to help cover the expenses of what 18th century war centered in the upper Ohio River valley?

Second, name the second United States president.

We have our answers.

The first answer is the French and Indian War, and the second answer is John Adams.

Both are correct; you've got bonus points.

Now this question for both teams.

In 1576 the Mughal Emperor Akbar conquered Bengal, which was then the richest province in what country?

Becker, Owen: India.

Yes.

Bonus questions for Becker only.

Answer the following regarding European history: First, in the 1940s what country invaded Denmark, Belgium, Norway and France?

Second, this country has been militarily neutral since 1815, not becoming involved in any conflict between any countries and ready to defend from any attack.

Which country is this, with a capital of Bern and peace summits being held at Geneva?

You have 10 seconds.

All right.

We have our answers.

-Go ahead, captain.

-For number one we have Germany, and for number two we have Switzerland.

-Both are correct.

You've got bonus points, and we're out of time.

(crashing sound) The score, Greenspun with 90 points to Becker with 70.

It's a close match.

Now for Greenspun, we have a returning player, Casey's back.

Hi, Casey.

-Hi.

-And we have a new player, John.

Hi, John.

-Hello.

-Welcome.

For Becker we have a returning player, William, and a new player, Madilyn.

Hi, Madilyn.

-Hello.

-Let's get this party started.

In what country did the Third Reich develop?

Greenspun, Casey: Germany.

Yes.

What planet is colored by wind-blown, iron-rich dust?

I didn't see who buzzed in.

Becker, Owen: Neptune.

No.

Greenspun, Casey: Jupiter.

No.

The answer is Mars.

Next question.

People used what to propel ancient biremes and triremes?

I can't tell who's lit up.

Becker, Owen: Trebuchets.

Incorrect.

(bell chimes, time expires) The answer is oars, like rowing an oar.

Next question is a calculation question and is not repeated in this round.

What is the sum of the prime numbers between 10 and 15?

Greenspun, John: 24.

Yes.

Next question.

In the Harry Potter stories, what kind of birds are Errol, Hedwig-- Becker, Owen: Owls.

Yes.

How far are you from home if the distance in Roman numerals is "D" miles?

Becker, Owen: 20 miles.

No.

Greenspun, John: 500 miles.

Yes.

Next question.

What simple machine is incorporated in staples used to keep things together or in shovels to separate objects into parts?

Becker, Owen: Wedges.

Yes.

What crime is committed in O. Henry's humorous story, "The Ransom of Red Chief"?

Becker, Owen: Murder.

No.

Greenspun, Ektor: Ransom.

No.

The answer is kidnapping.

Next question.

It's the only orchestral instrument with unadjustable pitch, so when a symphony orchestra tunes up before a performance, what instrument gives the pitch?

Greenspun, Ektor: Bass.

No.

Becker, Owen: Violin.

Incorrect.

It is the oboe.

Next question.

What body of water is the world's largest carbon sink?

Becker, Owen: The Caspian Sea.

Incorrect.

Greenspun, Wyland: Lake Erie.

No.

It's the Pacific Ocean.

Next question.

In Tuck Everlasting, the antagonist is a man in a suit of what color?

Becker, Owen: Blue.

No.

Greenspun, Wyland: Black.

No.

It's yellow.

Next question.

What fraction is exactly halfway between 7 and 19/14?

(bell chimes, time expires) It's 117/28, but we all knew that.

In what colonial city was Crispus Attucks killed by British soldiers?

Becker, Owen: New Amsterdam.

That's incorrect.

Greenspun, Casey: Boston.

Yes, Boston is correct.

Next question.

What's missing from this saying: "They killed the blank that laid the golden egg."

Becker, Owen: Hen.

Incorrect.

Greenspun, John: Chicken.

No.

It's a goose.

Who were the first Europeans to colonize what's now New York?

Greenspun, Ektor: The Dutch.

Yes.

Next question.

According to the old saying, "A miss is as good as a blank."

It is equal to 5,280 feet.

Becker, Owen: Mile.

Yes, sir.

Who is Zero's great-great-great grandmother in the novel Holes?

(bell chimes, time expires) Madams Zeroni.

Next question.

What's the collective name for disasters attributed to such causes as floods, hurricanes-- Becker, Owen: Natural disasters.

Yes, sir.

What's the second full moon in a month called?

Greenspun, Casey: Blue moon.

Yes, sir.

Who followed George VI as monarch of England?

Greenspun, Wyland: George VII.

Incorrect.

Becker, Owen-- that wasn't you?

Who buzzed in?

Becker, William: King Henry I.

Incorrect.

It was Elizabeth II.

What is the title of the head of the judicial branch of government in the United States?

And who was that?

Becker, Owen: Supreme Court.

Incorrect.

Greenspun, Ektor: Chief Justice.

Yes, sir.

Next question.

What cloth made from the stalk of the flax plant may be bleached white?

Which of you?

Becker, Kingston: Cotton.

No.

(bell chimes, time expires) The answer is linen.

Through what U.S. state does a latitude of 70 degrees north pass?

Which of you?

Becker, Owen: Alaska.

Yes.

Who was the first man to be both vice president and president without being elected to either?

Greenspun, Ektor: Gerald Ford.

Yes.

Though the colors are different, the four flags of Scandinavia do have which design element-- Which of you?

Becker, Owen: A cross.

Yes.

What stage of man's cultural development is divided into the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods?

Which of you?

Becker, William: The prehistoric.

Incorrect.

(bell chimes, time expires) The Stone Age is what we were looking for.

And we're out of time, so let's find out who won.

(crashing sound) The final score, Greenspun 130, Becker 100.

Congratulations to both teams for really an excellent match.

(applause) We want to congratulate our champions, but first we want to award a second place plaque.

Give it up for Becker Middle School and Ms. Kristin Grimm from the Clark County School District Student Activities Department.

Great job to Becker Middle School.

And now to present the plaque and a check for $500 to the Jr.

Varsity Quiz champions Greenspun, we have Mr. Howard Naylor from the Kiwanis Club, a $500 check and a plaque to the captain Wyland for Greenspun, the Jr.

Varsity Quiz champions for 2022.

Great job!

We invite you to join us next week as we conclude the 53rd season of Varsity Quiz.

We hope you join us for the Jr.

Varsity Quiz All-Star match.

It's a lot of fun as superstars from the teams throughout Jr.

Varsity Quiz get together for fun and bragging rights right here on Vegas PBS.

We'll see you!

♪♪♪