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

-Coming up it's Team Parise... [cheers and applause] ...taking on Team Tannenbaum!

This is the Junior Varsity Quiz All-Star Match!

[crashing sound] ♪♪♪♪♪ [cheers and applause] Hello and welcome to the 55th season of Varsity Quiz.

We got the best and brightest students matching wits in this challenging academic competition.

In this match, we're doing things a little different.

We're saluting young men and women of Junior Varsity Quiz with this year's All-Star Match, featuring superstars from the nearly two dozen schools that played JVQ this year.

Now, the students have been randomly assigned to the two teams, and we'll explain the names for the teams.

It's going to be different than our regular season because, in this match, we have four timed rounds of up to 20 toss-up questions.

Each question in this lighthearted match is worth 5 points.

Remember, students, that you will not be able to buzz in like you normally do.

So you may get frustrated, but you won't be able to buzz in until we complete reading the question.

Let's meet our players.

We'll have them introduce themselves, first with Team Parise.

Let's start with Jimmy.

-Hi, my name is Jimmy.

I am from Lawrence, and I'm in 6th grade.

-Hi.

I'm Asher, and I'm a 7th grader at Faiss Middle School.

-Hey, I'm Caleb.

I'm an 8th grader at Lied STEM Academy.

-What's up?

Oliver.

I'm a 7th grader at Bob Miller Middle School.

Ladies and gentlemen, that's Team Parise!

[cheers and applause] Now let's meet our players for Team Tannenbaum.

-Hi, I'm Vincent.

I'm a 6th grader, and I attend Sig Rogich Middle School.

-Hi, my name is Mackenzie.

I'm a 7th grader at Bridger Middle School.

-Hi, my name is Caleb.

I'm a 7th grader at Greenspun Junior High School.

-Hi, my name is Andrei.

I'm a 7th grader from Sig Rogich Middle School.

-Ladies and gentlemen, that's Team Tannenbaum.

[cheers and applause] Students, just a reminder, we need you to speak up.

The microphones, they absolutely can hear you.

You don't need to lean into the microphone, but we need you to speak up because we're old over here and we can't hear very well.

If we can't hear you, we might have to say that your answer was wrong even if you're giving the right answer, because we couldn't hear you.

Remember, again, you will not be able to buzz in until we finish reading the question.

You ready?

Let's play Junior Varsity Quiz.

Duke Kahanamoku was a world champion swimmer and an icon for what Hawaiian born sport?

That's Team Parise, Oliver: surfing -That's right.

Points on the board for Parise.

What date has become popular to celebrate as Star Wars Day?

Team Tannenbaum, Andrei: May 4th -Yeah.

May the 4th be with you, Andrei.

Next question.

What TV sitcom about a young nerd genius is now in its final season?

Team Parise, Caleb: Young Sheldon -Yeah.

Do you watch that show?

-No.

-I've never seen it.

Supposedly it's a good show.

You got the answer right.

Next question.

What popular novel featuring Ponyboy and Sodapop has now opened as a musical on Broadway?

Team Parise, Asher: The Outsiders -Yeah.

Good job.

All right.

Name the tallest breed of dog.

Team Parise, Jimmy: the German mastiff -Incorrect.

Team Tannenbaum, Mackenzie: Rottweiler -No.

It's the Great Dane.

You know, the big boy.

Next question.

Name one of two popular American sports with an on-again off-again history of being included in the Summer Olympic Games, which by the way, they are coming back in the 2028 Olympics.

Team Tannenbaum, Caleb: skateboarding -Incorrect.

Team Parise, Caleb: baseball -Yes.

Or softball.

They're both coming back.

They've been in and out.

Next question.

How many bones do sharks have?

Catching you off guard here.

Team Parise, Caleb: none -That's right.

See, my trick question didn't fool Caleb.

Next question.

What US Western city is affectionately known as "The Biggest Little City in the World"?

Team Tannenbaum, Andrei: Reno -You got it.

Yeah.

Good for Reno.

Here we go.

What performing artist bypassed major movie studios to bring her billion dollar concert tour to movie screens in 2023?

Team Parise, Caleb: Taylor Swift -I know you're a swiftie, Caleb.

Not so much?

Maybe?

-My coach is a Swiftie.

-Okay, well, that's close enough.

And you got the question right.

Name the only birds that can fly backwards.

Team Parise, Caleb: hummingbirds -That's right.

Next question.

Oh, this is a good one.

What's the oldest soft drink in the United States?

Team Parise, Jimmy: Coca-Cola -No.

Team Tannenbaum, Caleb: Pepsi -Nope.

It's Dr. Pepper.

"Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper too?"

That's an old commercial.

They don't use that one anymore.

Which Looney Tunes character is constantly evading capture by Sylvester the Cat?

Team Parise, Asher: Bugs Bunny -Nope.

Team Tannenbaum, Caleb: Piggy -Nope.

It's Tweety Bird.

"I tawt I taw a puddy tat."

Remember that one?

Here we go.

Next question.

Name the Renaissance Italian who wrote The Prince about political leadership.

Team Parise, Oliver: Rafael -No.

It's a good guess, though.

[bell chimes, time expires] It was Machiavelli.

Check it out.

Name the University of Iowa women's basketball team player who went No.

1 in the 2024 WNBA draft.

-Team Parise, Caleb: Caitlin Clark -Yeah, fantastic.

What prize was given to winners of the Olympics in ancient Greece?

Team Tannenbaum, Caleb: a crown of olives -That's right.

Hey, points on the board.

Good job.

Who was the celebrity performer behind the brand Fenty Beauty?

Team Parise, Oliver: Rihanna -Yeah.

What's the Nevada state motto?

Team Parise, Oliver: Battle Born -Incorrect.

Team Tannenbaum, Caleb: Home Means Nevada -No.

Good guesses, though.

It's "All for our Country."

Oh, okay.

So we're out of time.

Let's give a round of applause to both teams.

[cheers and applause] Let's explain where these All-Star team names come from.

Team Parise is named for Sheila Parise.

She coordinates the Varsity Quiz leagues, creates match questions for both JVQ and Varsity Quiz, serves as a moderator for Junior Varsity Quiz and Varsity Quiz, a really integral part of both Junior and Varsity Quiz.

Team Tannenbaum was named after me.

A little bit odd to talk about myself.

I didn't ask for this, but I am celebrating my 50th year in broadcasting.

Started in radio when I was 17, like some of these students are.

Well, not quite 17.

But 35 years ago, I came to Las Vegas, where it has been mostly sunny ever since.

I love my day job at 8 News Now where I talk about traffic and the weather.

Of course, super pumped to do the work here at Vegas PBS, including the Spelling Bee, and here we are at Varsity Quiz.

Round 2 coming up.

[crashing sound] Now going into Round 2.

The score: Team Parise has 45 points.

Team Tannenbaum, we got some catching up to do, we're at 15.

Let's meet the players here.

Team Parise, introduce yourselves, starting with Sophia.

-My name is Sophia, and I'm a 7th grader at Johnson.

-Hi.

I'm Immaculata, and I'm an 8th grader at Grant Sawyer Middle School.

-My name is Leo, and I'm an 8th grader at Hyde Park.

-Hi, I'm Kian.

I'm also an 8th grader at Hyde Park.

There's our Team Parise for Round 2.

There you go.

[cheers and applause] Just be sure to use that playground voice.

Let's meet our players for Round 2 from Team Tannenbaum.

-Hello.

My name is Anaya, and I am from KO Knudson Academy of the Arts.

And I'm in 8th grade.

-Hi.

I'm Sylvia, and I'm an 8th grader at Thurman White Academy.

-Hi.

I'm Amanda, and I'm an 8th grader at Bob Miller Middle School.

-Hello.

I'm Ezekiel, and I'm an 8th grader at Brown Academy.

-All right.

That's Team Tannenbaum for Round 2.

[cheers and applause] So remember, students, that we have the buzzers controlled to where you are not being allowed to buzz in until after the question is read.

And judges, I believe we're on Question No.

18?

-Here we go.

For the first time ever, the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will not be held in a stadium.

Where are they going to be held?

That's Team Parise, Kian: an arena -No.

Team Tannenbaum, Sylvia: a park -No.

We needed the answer "on the Seine River."

They're going to be by the riverside.

Pretty cool, huh?

I know you'll tune in.

Next question.

Which famous American magician who was known for elaborate escape acts died on Halloween of 1926 when his appendix burst?

Team Parise, Sophia: Harry Houdini -Correct.

Which company bought Instagram in 2012?

Team Tannenbaum, Sylvia: Meta -I think we can take that.

Next question.

Whose skating talents were featured during the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show?

Team Tannenbaum, Sylvia: Tony Hawk -No.

Team Parise, Kian: Usher -Yeah.

I didn't know Usher was a skater.

Crazy, huh?

Next question.

Which cartoon Great Dane solves mysteries with his teenage human friends in their sketchy little van?

Team Tannenbaum, Sylvia: Scooby Doo -Yes, absolutely.

Love that show.

Nearly twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty, this Statue of Unity depicts Sardar Patel, who helped unite what Asian country after it won independence from Britain?

Team Parise, Leo: India -Yeah, you got it.

Pyramid Lake is in this state, the nation's seventh largest state.

Team Parise, Leo: Nevada -Yeah, we got Pyramid Lake.

We're happening.

Next question.

Released in 1937, what was the first full-length animated Disney movie?

Team Tannenbaum, Sylvia: Snow White -Yes.

You got it.

Perennial All-Star NBA Guard Steph Curry plays for which team?

Team Parise, Kian: Golden State Warriors -Yeah.

Are you a Curry fan?

-Not really.

-Oh, man.

He's fantastic.

Next question.

In what state is Mount Rushmore Memorial located?

Team Tannenbaum, Amanda: South Dakota -You got it.

We're getting some points.

Let's keep going.

Which historic Las Vegas hotel that opened April 4, 1957, is going to be torn down to make way for a Major League Baseball park?

Team Tannenbaum, Anaya: Caesars Palace -No.

Team Parise, Kian: the Flamingo -No.

You guys don't-- See, if you watched the news, you guys would know?

We're gonna turn you into news viewers.

It's the Tropicana.

There's a whole lot of, "Oh, that's right."

Okay.

Here we go.

In the newest version of the Addams Family, the daughter, Wednesday, is going to be played by which popular actress?

Team Parise, Kian: Jenna Ortega -Yeah.

And you'll be watching every episode.

Maybe?

No.

Okay.

Name the ingredient in gummy bears that makes them squishy.

Team Parise, Leo: gelatin -Yeah.

So do you like the gummies, Leo?

Exactly.

They're good.

I like them better than Skittles.

No?

You like Skittles better?

Okay.

Here we go.

I'm glad we've had this time together.

Here's your next question.

If you are dining "alfresco," where are you eating?

Team Parise, Leo: in a restaurant -Nope.

Team Tannenbaum, Sylvia: outside -Yeah.

It just means "on the patio."

It's just fancy for "outside."

Next question.

What does the prefix "mono" mean?

And that's Team Parise, Sophia: one -You got it.

Which country is the biggest exporter of coffee beans worldwide?

Team Parise, Kian: Argentina -No.

Team Tannenbaum, Amanda: Brazil -Yeah.

There's a lot of coffee in Brazil.

What city has more hotel rooms than any other city on Earth?

Team Parise, Kian: Las Vegas -Yeah.

You knew that one.

Just lie and tell me you knew that one.

Go ahead and say, I knew that one.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, yeah.

Okay.

Which southern city is often referred to as the birthplace of Jazz?

Team Tannenbaum, Sylvia: New Orleans -Yes.

And we're out of time for Round 2.

But don't go anywhere, because we got some other talking to do.

We want to meet our All-Star coaches.

For Team Parise, the coach is Madison Parise.

She was a VQ student, and we have a student who's coaching.

That's wonderful.

For Team Tannenbaum, it's Maryiam Syed.

She's also a VQ player from Coronado.

Thanks to both teams.

Let's see what happens in Round 3.

[applause] All right.

Going into Round 3, the score: Team Parise has 90 points.

Team Tannenbaum has 50.

We gotta get going, you guys.

Before we get going, let's meet our players for this round.

We'll start with Sophia.

-Hi, my name is Sophia.

I'm a 7th grader at Johnson.

-So it's still you, right?

-Yeah.

-Okay.

We have a new player.

-Hello, my name is Ella.

I'm an 8th grader at Swainston.

-It's me, Caleb, again.

I'm an 8th grader at Lied STEM Academy.

-I'm back, baby.

-You got it.

It's Oliver.

-Yes.

-Okay.

That's Team Parise for Round 3.

[applause] Team Tannenbaum for Round 3, some familiar faces, but let's meet you.

-It's me, Vincent, again.

I'm a 6th grader at Sig Rogich Middle School.

-So you're still in 6th grade?

-Yep.

Still am.

-Okay.

-Hi.

It's me again, Sylvia, and I'm an 8th grader at Thurman White Academy.

-Okay.

-It's Amanda again.

Still at Bob Miller and still an 8th grader.

-Awesome.

-Hi.

It's still me, Caleb, a 7th grader from Greenspun.

-Right on.

Are you guys ready?

Let's rock the JVQ All-Star.

What do Aurora, Merida, Tiana, and Elsa have in common?

Team Tannenbaum, Amanda: they're all Disney princesses -You got it.

Points for Team Tannenbaum.

Let's keep going.

What song is taught to help keep the correct pace when you're doing CPR?

Team Parise, Oliver: "Stayin' Alive" -Yeah.

That's good training.

Next question.

On what date did Nevada become the 36th state?

Team Parise, Sophia: October 31 -Yes.

Did we need the year?

I don't know if we need it, because the question didn't say the year.

So it was it was 1864 in case the trivia comes up again, Sophia.

But you got it.

Points for your team.

Let's keep going.

Where does the Pope, the leader of the Catholic faith, where does he live?

Team Tannenbaum, Vincent: Vatican City -Yes.

What's the name of the group, led by Gwen Stefani, who reunited for a performance of Coachella?

Team Tannenbaum, Sylvia: No Doubt -No.

I know that, but what's the-- -No Doubt.

-Oh, that's the name.

Okay, I got you.

I see where you're going.

Okay, next question.

Often appearing alongside Walt Disney's studio logo, who is sometimes considered Disney's unofficial mascot?

Team Parise, Oliver: Mickey Mouse -No.

Team Tannenbaum, Caleb: Tinkerbell -Yeah.

So back when I was a kid, they had this show called The Wonderful World of Disney.

And then Tinkerbell would kind of fly over.

So you got that.

Points for the team.

Let's keep going.

What former First Lady is one of the producers of Suffs, a new musical about the American suffragist movement?

Team Parise, Caleb: Michelle Obama -No.

Team Tannenbaum, Vincent: Laura Bush -No.

It's actually Hillary Clinton.

So there's more trivia to take home.

Next question.

In the Disney movie Brave, Princess Merida turns down all the suitors that were invited by her family.

Who does she end up marrying?

Team Tannenbaum, Sylvia: no one -You got that right, and we keep moving.

The world's largest monolith, Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, that is in which country's Northern Territory?

Team Parise, Oliver: Australia -You got it.

Name the poet who read her poem, "The Hill We Climb" at the 2021 inauguration of President Joe Biden.

Team Tannenbaum, Sylvia: Amanda Walker -No.

Team Parise, Caleb: Jill Biden -No.

It's Amanda Gorman.

You were on the right track.

And boy, I urge you all to read that poem.

It's fantastic.

The Olympic torch is a tribute to the fire that burned throughout the ancient Greek Olympic Games honoring which goddess?

Team Tannenbaum, Sylvia: Athena -No.

[bell chimes, time expires] [buzzer sound] After the buzzer.

It was Hestia.

Okay.

Psychic medium Madame Leota is a fixture of which Disney Park ride?

Team Tannenbaum, Amanda: Haunted Mansion -[evil laugh] Yes.

In what year were the first ever Winter Olympics held?

Team Parise, Oliver: 1952 -Good guess, but no.

We're going back earlier.

Team Tannenbaum, Caleb: 1938 -No, 1924.

Here we go.

And I wasn't there.

Okay?

In ancient China, solar eclipses were believed to be caused by what mythical creature eating the sun?

Team Parise, Caleb: dragons -Yeah.

Wouldn't that be creepy if that's what was going on?

I think we know better now.

I hope.

What is Captain America's shield made out of?

Team Tannenbaum, Amanda: vibranium -Shah!

I just got some the other day.

Next question.

The Cathedral of Saint Basil the Blessed was built by Ivan the Terrible in what Russian city?

Team Praise, Oliver: Moscow -Yes.

A Labrador has served as the "bat dog" for the Las Vegas Aviators, and today is his retirement day.

What's his name?

Team Parise, Oliver: Aviator -No.

Good guess.

Team Tannenbaum, Sylvia: Bruce -No.

It's Finn.

Have you ever been to an Aviators game?

Oh, it's fantastic.

So I think they've gotten new dogs.

So they're just, they're gonna have new bat dogs.

Finn has done a great job.

What popular Mandalorian actor will be playing a Fantastic Four superhero in the next Marvel movie?

Team Parise, Caleb: Pedro Pascal -That's right.

And we're out of time.

Let's catch the score.

But before we do that, we wanted to make sure you know that our judges tonight are from the Clark County School District, scorekeepers from the Kiwanis Club of Las Vegas, and that Kiwanis Club of Las Vegas and the Clark County School District also provide moderators and judges during all of our JVQ school tournaments.

And we'll be right back.

[crashing sound] JVQ All-Star Match going into the last round, the score: Team Parise with 120 points.

Team Tannenbaum, 85.

We're hanging in there.

Let's have our players introduce themselves.

Hey, Jimmy.

-Hi, I'm Jimmy.

I'm from Lawrence, and I'm in 6th grade.

-Hi, I'm Asher.

I'm in 7th grade, and I go to Faiss Middle School.

-Hi, I'm Leo.

I'm in 8th grade, and I go to Hyde Park.

-Hi.

I'm an 8th grader at Hyde Park, and my name is Kian.

-Excellent.

Team Parise.

Team Tannenbaum.

-Hi, my name is Anaya.

I'm back again.

And I'm in 8th grade.

I'm from KO Knudson.

-Hi, I'm Sylvia.

I'm still here.

I'm from Thurman White Academy, and I'm in 8th grade.

-Still Amanda, still from Bob Miller, and still, again, an 8th grader.

-Yeah, but you're almost moving into the 9th grade, Amanda.

And?

-Hello again.

My name is Andrei.

I'm a 7th grader from Rogich Middle School.

-All right.

Let's do this final round.

Judges, Question 54?

Starts now.

Name the movie that won the 2024 Oscar for Best Film.

Team Tannenbaum, Sylvia: Oppenheimer -Yeah, that's right.

In the movie Moana, what's the name of Moana's swine friend?

Team Parise, Kian: Maui -No.

Team Tannenbaum, Amanda: Pua -Yeah.

I mean, now Kian, I know you've seen the movie, right?

No?

Okay.

That's okay.

Amanda, you've seen the movie.

It's fantastic.

Everybody loves Moana.

Here we go.

Through what process do plants produce energy?

Team Parise, Asher: photosynthesis -Yeah.

What are doing with an actual question here?

Here we go.

What two-word phrase appears on the Nevada State Flag?

Team Tannenbaum, Andrei: Battle Born -Yeah.

Somebody gave that answer earlier.

That's where we needed it.

Which character who is the nemesis of Road Runner is continually frustrated by the Road Runner's ability to outrun him?

Team Tannenbaum, Amanda: Wile E. Coyote -There you go.

"Meep meep!"

How many ounces are in a pound?

Team Tannenbaum, Andrei: 16 -Yes, sir.

Name the Broadway musical, now in revival, featuring Dorothy, a lion without courage, and Wayne Brady in the title role.

Team Parise, Leonardo: Wizard of Oz -I don't know if we can take that.

No?

Team Tannenbaum, Amanda: Wicked -No.

So this one is just called The Wiz.

So it's a separate production.

The Wizard of Oz is a completely separate show.

This one is a new one.

And Wicked, I can't wait.

They're actually making a movie of that one.

Okay.

In what country was Buddhism founded?

Team Parise, Kian: India -Yes.

Sounds like you weren't sure of yourself on that one, Kian.

But you got it right.

In what animated movie are the main characters fire and water?

Team Parise, Asher: Elemental -Yeah, I didn't see that one.

Did you see it?

-Yes.

-Was it good?

-Yeah, really good.

You guys like it?

Yeah, I'll have to check it out.

Built by the Ottoman sultan Ahmed I, in the early 17th century, the Blue Mosque is a popular tourist attraction in what Turkish city?

Team Parise, Kian: Istanbul -Yes.

Who was the primary antagonist of Nintendo's Mario franchise?

Team Parise, Leo: Bowser -Yeah.

You a Mario guy?

You guys video game people?

Okay.

Getting nods.

There you go.

Right on.

Okay, here we go.

How many elements make up the periodic table?

Team Tannenbaum, Amanda: 118 -Yep, until they get a new one.

But then we'll stick with 118 for now.

Which cartoon character is from the phylum Porifera?

Team Parise, Kian: SpongeBob -Yeah.

"It's the best day ever."

Which building was once slanted as much as 5 1/2 degrees from perpendicular, about 15 feet?

After extensive work, the lean is now less than 4 degrees.

Team Tannenbaum, Andrei: Leaning Tower of Pisa -That's right.

Athos, Porthos, and Aramis are this famous trio of heroes fighting for Queen Anne as members of the king's elite regiment.

Team Parise, Jimmy: Three Musketeers -Oh, say it like you mean it, Jimmy.

-The Three Musketeers.

-That's right!

Yes!

What's the name of the video game recently released that set in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?

Team Tannenbaum, Sylvia: The Wizarding World -I don't think we can take that.

No.

Team Parise, Jimmy: Hogwarts Legacy -There you go.

All right.

I don't think we're done yet.

Tiger Woods just played in his 26th Masters tournament, but how many times has he won that coveted Green Jacket?

Team Parise, Jimmy: four times -No.

Team Tannenbaum, Anaya: 26 times -That's a great guess.

He would love that answer.

It's five.

We'll have to get this to Tiger Woods.

That's pretty good.

Richard Webber, Callie Torres, and Meredith Grey have all been characters on what longest-running medical TV show?

Team Tannenbaum, Andrei: Grey's Anatomy -That's right.

I thought you'd have to ask Mom or Grandma on that one, but you got it.

What element is important to maintain a healthy thyroid gland to prevent goiters?

Team Tannenbaum, Andrei: calcium -No.

Team Parise, Leo: iron -No.

We were looking for iodine.

Next question.

The Amazing World of Gumball.

Who is Gumball's adopted brother?

Team Tannenbaum, Sylvia: Darwin -You got that right.

Let's find out who won.

The final score of the JVQ All-Star: Team Parise, 160 points to Team Tannenbaum, 130.

A round of applause for both teams.

[cheers and applause] Congratulations to Team Parise.

We don't have a trophy.

We don't have a plaque.

This is just bragging rights and a chance for these outstanding young men and women from all of our JVQ teams to come on TV, have some fun, and have a good time.

Thank you for tuning in.

And we'll see you next year for the 56th season of Varsity Quiz on Vegas PBS.