Two Schaumburg High School students recently represented their school at the Mid-Suburban League (MSL) Scholastic Bowl All-Star Game, held at Prospect High School.
Dhyey Thakkar and Betselot Mussie competed alongside other top academic competitors from across the conference in the fast-paced quiz competition. Each school in the league sends two of its strongest players to the All-Star Game, creating teams made up of standout students from the MSL West and MSL East divisions.
Preparation for the event reflects the dedication students bring to regular Scholastic Bowl practices. According to the team’s coach, Ms. Gannon, both Thakkar and Mussie have a wide range of interests and come to competitions with strong background knowledge. During the season, team members review practice questions together and also complete individual online practice to sharpen their skills.
The All-Star Game differs from regular Scholastic Bowl matches in several ways. While standard matches feature 20 question sets and teams of five players, the All-Star Game doubles the length to 40 question sets and fields teams of six players. In addition, the teams are coached by the coach whose school advanced to the conference championship.
The questions in the All-Star Game cover a wide range of topics, reflecting the diverse knowledge of the competitors. Categories often include history, literature, science, mathematics, fine arts, geography, and current events, with occasional pop culture or sports questions to challenge students in unexpected ways.
Each game packet typically mixes multiple-choice, short answer, and toss-up questions. This variety tests not only students’ recall of facts but also their critical thinking, strategy, and ability to work together quickly under pressure, making each match both challenging and exciting.
Students must rely on both speed and accuracy during the competition. Players race to buzz in first when they know the answer, and a correct response gives their team the chance to earn additional bonus points. Because teams only get one attempt per question, an incorrect answer gives the opposing team an advantage.
In the end, the MSL West team, featuring Thakkar and Mussie, dominated the match with 850 points, while MSL East finished with 420 points.
Beyond the competition itself, events like the All-Star Game allow students to connect with high-achieving peers from other schools and build a sense of community through academic activities. For Schaumburg High School, the strong performance of Thakkar and Mussie highlights the knowledge, teamwork, and dedication students bring to academic competitions.