Local students show their smarts on GBH quiz show

Waltham High School’s impressive Quiz Bowl team will take center stage competing against Natick on GBH’s High School Quiz Show this Saturday, March 21 at 6 p.m.

The award-winning quiz show is a single-elimination academic team competition for high school students in Massachusetts, produced and broadcast by GBH. 

The Waltham team’s open round game against Natick High School was taped last month at GBH studios in Brighton, and will be aired this Saturday. It’s also available on YouTube on March 19 at 6 p.m.

Waltham’s team was one of 17 picked from more than 70 contenders. The top four WHS team members competed on the show, and two team members were on standby as alternates. The team is coached by Mike Russo, WHS math teacher, and Reba Tierney, WHS librarian Reba Tierney.

The Hawks prepped for the show for weeks by watching old seasons of High School Quiz Show, taking practice rounds and using an online quiz app. 

There was a loud and proud and loud crowd cheering the team at the GBH taping including families, teammates, teachers and school committee members. This is only the second time Waltham has earned a spot during the show’s 17-year run.

“The kids were incredible, and we’re very proud of them. Knowledge is one thing, but performing before a camera, under the lights, using the buzzer – it’s an experience they won’t forget,” Tierney said.

The WHS team members who competed on the show also qualified for the National Academic Quiz Tournament and will compete in the 2026 High School National Championship in Atlanta in May.

Busy season and other activities

It’s been a great season all around for the Waltham quiz teams. At a Belmont competition last month, the B team won the novice division and the A team placed second in the standard division, making it nearly a Waltham sweep. 

It’s been a busy season as well. Many of the students in WHS Quiz Bowl are also involved in multiple clubs and sports including Shakespeare Club, History Club, Cube Club, robotics, soccer, cross country, track, volleyball and softball.

The parents of some of the team members were also active in Quiz Bowl and often join them for local Trivial Pursuit competitions.

The WHS Quiz Bowl team members include Willow, William, Saisabari, Suzara, Josie, Kevin, Reid, Aayan, Jesus, Miguel, Ewan and Casper. 

We can’t reveal the ending before the show airs, but their accomplishments are certainly getting noticed. The WHS Quiz Bowl team was honored at a recent School Committee meeting, where they received a standing ovation.

The WHS Quiz Bowl team and friends. Photo courtesy of Reba Tierney.