‘Treated like kings’: Why they love their quiz team at Western High

By Ian Whitaker

Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 | 2 a.m.

For about an hour after school, Western High School quiz team coach Matt Albert transforms his classroom into the academic version of a high school football field.

But instead of cleats and helmets, the equipment is a buzzer system strung along ordinary school desks as well as a pen and paper to keep score. Instead of shouting orders from the sidelines, Albert barks rapid-fire questions about subjects like history, science and math.

“What state capital is situated east of Nampa, has a namesake river that is a tributary of the Snake River and is the most populous city in Idaho?” Albert, an English teacher at Western, shoots at the students during a practice session.

A loud beep comes almost as soon as he finishes the last syllable. It’s 17-year-old junior Anthony Juarez, the team’s star member.

Juarez zips off the answer: “Boise.”

“Yes. One minute to go,” Albert responds without looking up.

For the 16 students who comprise the quiz team, this is what practice looks like three days a week.

Albert, 30, a former quiz bowl competitor in Illinois, came to Western in 2013 just as it was about to begin the process of transitioning out of the Clark County School District’s Turnaround Zone for struggling schools. Though Western had had a quiz team before, it didn’t have one at the time.

“It made sense to me that we should probably have a program like this,” he said. “It’s just another example that progress is being made here.”

He started from scratch. He bought a buzzer system, recruited students and began holding practices. Slowly, more students joined the club, many through word of mouth, some through their friends or siblings.

“I just decided to come by one day after school, and I’ve been coming ever since,” said junior Cindy Sepulveda.

The students have to learn to deal with the inevitable teasing that comes with being in a club for “smart kids.” For this, Albert has his own advice.

“You cannot give one crap about if other people view you as the smart kid in high school,” he said. “And the quicker you divorce yourself from that, the more you’re going to get done at the club here.”

The practices themselves are relaxed and informal, but Albert’s approach to the competition is anything but. During the regular season he keeps detailed statistics on which students are doing the best in games, and uses it to determine who will play and who will sit out. A spreadsheet tacked onto the wall shows where each student falls in the standings.

“Is it obsessive? You bet it is. But if it works, it works,” he said.

This school year the team fought off Moapa Valley and Veterans Tribute to win their conference, but they also found themselves battling a different opponent: low expectations.

Western is one of the largest Title I schools in Nevada, with nearly 80 percent of the student body qualifying for free and reduced-price lunches. It’s also one of the most ethnically diverse. Black and Hispanic/Latino students make up 85 percent of the school, but the school has struggled academically. It’s been ranked a two-star school for years, and it doesn’t have a history of athletic success.

“We have such a bad rep,” said 17-year-old Sarah Spangler. “I’ll be out in public and when say I’m from Western, people just go, ‘Ohhhhh.’”

Despite that, the team's conference win this year placed them in the district playoffs in January, which were televised by Vegas PBS. It was the team’s first time in front of the camera.

“I didn’t eat or sleep for three days leading up to the match,” Albert said.

Western's competitors did better than they expected, and before they knew it had breezed past Shadow Ridge to face Sierra Vista in the final on Jan. 22. Word spread quickly among Western’s students. When the team left the school for Vegas PBS on the day of the final, they were sent off to fanfare by the honor guard, cheerleaders and drumline.

“Those kids got treated like kings,” Albert said. “I’ve never seen that kind of support for a quiz bowl team.”

The final match was close. Western pulled ahead early, but Sierra Vista later narrowed the lead to just one question. That’s when Juarez rattled off three questions in a row to put them back on top.

“It was intense. Really scary,” said senior Clarice Whisenant, one of the oldest players on the team. “The bright lights were shining and just adding so much pressure.”

Albert and the rest of the team sat transfixed on the sidelines.

“Everyone was so on edge,” Spangler said. “My hands were all sweaty and we were just shaking.”

Then came the question that decided the game: “Identify the new Internet browser that came out with Windows 10.” The answer from a Western player: “Microsoft Edge.”

They won by 20 points, which is about four questions. It was the first time Western had taken the district title since 1971. About 40 teams compete in the district, which encompasses all Clark County schools.

Since the victory, Albert has noticed a boost in confidence among students on the team. The kids say they now get recognized by other students who see the team’s logo on their shirts.

“They kind of look at this as a way to be the face of the school,” Albert said. “And they do a good job at it.”

Now, the quiz team has set its sights on the High School National Championship Tournament in Dallas, considered the Super Bowl of high school varsity quiz competitions. Western failed to qualify through an invitational but was accepted as a wild card.

The team members have to raise upwards of $3,000 to compete in the event. A GoFundMe page is pending approval from administrators, but donations are being accepted by the school.

Western’s final victory against Sierra Vista is set to air on Vegas PBS next Monday at 7:30 p.m. Western’s victory in the semifinal can be seen here.