Academic Giants

Academic Giants Coordinators

Several competitive teams fall under the umbrella of Academic Giants, including Quiz Bowl and Spell Bowl (fall season), and Academic Super Bowl (spring season). Alysha Mosco is the Academic Giants overall coordinator.

Beyond the regular Academic Giants competition seasons, students can also pursue other opportunities to participate in various competitions throughout the year, including online and university-sponsored math competitions, and the annual Mu Alpha Theta summer competition and convention.

In general, all students are welcome to try out for these competitive teams, though there may be specific academic requirements. There also may be competition fees for some events. The Academic Giants conduct fundraisers to cover competition fees. For more information on specific opportunities, click on the links below.

Quiz Bowl

Quiz Bowl is a team where students can sharpen their minds and memory in wide variety of subjects. Sponsors are Mak Johnson, Christian Deeter, and Layne Maki.

Competitions involve answering trivia questions as accurately and quickly as possible. The MHS team competes in 13 quiz competitions against other area schools, along with a season tournament in early December. Competition season runs from late September to early December.

There is a varsity (grades 11-12) and reserve (grades 9-10) team, and students have a chance to serve as a captain for one of them. Competition squads are made up of four students.

Practices are usually held once a week. Students wanting to join must be prompt and consistent in attendance, practices, and competitions.

For the 2024-25 school year, practices are scheduled at 8 a.m. Wednesdays in Mr. Deeter's room, Room 1-35.

Who can join: Open to all Marion High School students.

How to join: Watch for the announcement of a callout meeting in September, or contact one of the sponsors listed above.

Spell Bowl

Academic Spell Bowl is a competitive club that studies more than 3,000 words for competitions! It helps students to improve their spelling skills, increase vocabulary, and to prepare for the SAT. It's similar to a spelling bee, but instead of spelling aloud, you write the words.

Competition season runs from August to early November. The team usually practices weekly.

For the 2024-25 school year, practices are set from 8 to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays in sponsor Sarah Drier's room, Room 2-48.

Contact Sarah Drier with questions.

Who can join: Open to all Marion High School students.

How to join: Watch for the announcement of a callout meeting in August, or contact the sponsor listed above.

English Academic Team (Super Bowl)

The English Academic Team is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of literature. This team offers students the chance to reach a higher level of analysis, and it helps them prepare for college. Being a part of this team shows that you are willing to work hard and aim high for academic achievements. There are also leadership opportunities to be the team's captain. Sponsor is Sarah Drier.

Several competitions take place in the spring semester. If the team wins consistently, then they have the opportunity to attend regional and state competitions.

To get involved you need to have passion and skill for analyzing literature. You will read several interesting texts (including a novel, several short stories, and several poems) and prepare for challenging questions at competition. Each year's competition season has a different theme / topic. Competitions consist of 25 multiple choice questions. The team usually practices weekly.

For 2024-25 the theme is Ireland.

Who can join: Open to any Marion High School student with a strong interest in literature / English language arts.

How to join: Stop by Room 2-48 or or send sponsor Sarah Drier a message.

Math Academic Team (Super Bowl and more)

Come be a part of the Giants Math Academic team! MHS math teacher Mr. Porter is in charge of this team, which offers great opportunities for students here at MHS to work together and to apply mathematical skills in a competitive form.

This team also helps with students who are considering a career in math. There are also leadership opportunities to be team captain!

The Math Academic Team participates in competitions at Rose-Hulman University, Trine University, and Huntington University, as well as various state and national remote competitions.

The Academic Giants raise funds to cover competition fees. Student participation in these fundraisers is essential, so students don't have to provide these funds themselves.

Meetings typically start around the middle of the school year. These meetings will be focused on practice sample questions and discussion of math topics that will show up in competition.

So if solving equations is your skill, then you must come be a part of the Math Academic Team! The team usually practices weekly.

Who can join: Open to any Marion High School with a strong interest in math.

How to join: Stop by Room 1-15 or send a message to Mr. Porter.

Science Academic Team (Super Bowl)

Are you a fan of science at MHS? Become involved with the Science Academic team, sponsored by some of our MHS science teachers.

If you’re looking for a career in science, then what better way but to join this team! It will help you excel in science and be on track for a bright future ahead. This even includes a spot to have leadership such as the team captain.

The main purpose of this team is to study science and to prepare for Academic Giants competitions. Competitions typically take place in the spring. Practices start about midway through the school year. Each year's competition season has a different theme / topic. Competitions consist of 25 multiple choice questions. The team usually practices weekly.

For 2024-25 the theme is Ireland.

Who can join: Any Marion High School student with a strong interest in science.

How to join: Contact sponsor Tayler Johnson.

Social Studies Academic Team (Super Bowl)

Fascinated by our world's history, or wanting to know more about it? This teams focuses on social studies and competes in competition against other schools.

One of the best parts of this team is that it helps students who like to be competitive in academic skills. It also helps students develop study strategies that will be beneficial later on in their higher education.

Students also have the opportunity to be a team captain, an important leadership role. The team captain is the ultimate decision-maker on which answers to give during competitions, and also works to keep team members focused.

Competitions typically take place in the spring. Practices start about midway through the school year. If you want to get involved, you must come to scheduled practices. Each year's competition season has a different theme / topic. Competitions consist of 25 multiple choice questions. The team usually practices weekly.

For 2024-25 the theme is Ireland.

Who can join: Any Marion High School student with a strong interest in history / social studies.

How to join: Contact sponsor Geoff Smith, or stop by Room 2-33.

Fine Arts Academic Team (Super Bowl)

Are you interested in fine arts? Want to learn more about artists and art history? This teams focuses on fine arts and competes in competition against other schools.

Competitions typically take place in the spring. Practices start about midway through the school year. Each year's competition season has a different theme / topic. Competitions consist of 25 multiple choice questions. The team usually practices weekly.

For 2024-25 the theme is Ireland.

Who can join: Any Marion High School student with a strong interest in fine arts.

How to join: Contact sponsor Greer Stephens.