By: Abby Ryu ‘26
Wyoming Seminary’s annual trivia competition, lovingly referred to as Sem Bowl, is a fan-favorite among students. Christopher Pons, Wyoming Seminary teacher, cat enthusiast, and Sem Bowl master of ceremonies (MC), asks questions contributed by faculty members, ranging from “NEPA” (Northeast Pennsylvania) to theatre. Participants come from every grade level to represent all four societies (Athenian, Oxonian, Alexandrian, and Florentine). The competition, which this year took place Monday, April 28th during morning assembly time, gives participants a special chance to show off knowledge that they most likely would not elsewhere.
As fun as it might sound, the experience also puts immense pressure on the participants; as a former Sem Bowl competitor myself, one answer really can feel like a life or death choice. When asked about his experience, staple Sem Bowl Oxonian participant Jacob Nivert ‘25 responded “It’s definitely my favorite part of the year. It’s a challenge, and I always feel like I’m about to throw up, but having your whole society behind you, cheering you on, and getting to collaborate with a team makes it all worth it. I’m really going to miss it.”
While only 16 students actually buzz in, Sem Bowl brings together the whole school community. When asked about her thoughts on the event, devoted Sem Bowl “mega-fan” Eva Blaum ‘25 gushed “I always get really excited for this time of year. The auditorium feels electric–kind of like a lacrosse game–which is really fun!” The entire audience, regardless of society membership, participates, cheering for right answers and holding back frustrated noises for wrong answers.
As the years have gone by, Mr. Pons’ pre-SEM bowl announcement has certainly become longer and longer, with more reminders that it’s just a game, and no, students should not get that upset over someone incorrectly identifying the sunshine state as California instead of Florida (Shoutout Paul Stevenson ‘24). It is definitely strange to witness as an outsider; nowhere else can you see kids so happy over someone being able to identify the sum of the interior angles of a nonogram. But what else can I say besides “we at SEM show up” (and society allegiances really do run deep).