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2026 Bosco Bowl
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April 27, 2026The atmosphere was burgeoning with excitement! The Bosco Bowl was an opportunity for third grade students at St. Joseph Catholic School to show what they have been learning in their literature classes! From various books about the lives of the Saints to the history of the United States, from Don Bosco to Helen Keller to George Washington, students were called to read, engage, discuss, and prepare to share information from each of the texts.
Divided into four teams, the students were ready to engage in yet another highlight of their Third Grade year as a St. Joseph Cardinal! With team names such as "the Saint Readers" and "Wind Shadows" this truly was anyone's game!
The finals consisted of two games. Whichever two teams scored the highest points in both of the games would go on to give God the glory in the Bosco Bowl! In the first round, I recall being blown away by the wealth of knowledge shown by the participants. I knew many of the answers myself because of my studies and love for the Church and our national heritage. It is so exciting to see a group of Third Grade students who know these key details in the lives of the Saints and many of our national heroes! At the end of the first round of the finals, the winning team was very elated; however, Ms. Brooks reminded us all that it is the two top-scoring teams to move on to the Bosco Bowl!
I had thought that there was a chance one or both of the teams in round one would make it to the finals due to their exemplary performance!
Round two began, and one answer after another came back correct, leading to a close game, and two new high scores! The Religious Soldiers and Saint Readers were headed to the Bosco Bowl!
Class after class arrived in the gym, as the excitement mounted among the students across the school who had come to watch. On the mind of a group of Fourth Grade students was a lingering question. Would their all-time record be beaten? At the 2025 Bosco Bowl at St. Joseph Catholic School, the "Eagles" had set a new record for the school with 58 Points! When there are only eight questions per each team worth five points, that means that they must have had many Touchdown Conversions as well as Steals, ranging from one to three points.
While the crowd began to do the "Wave" in anticipation for the beginning of the event, the players were looking forward to the coin toss to see who gets to go first or second for the 16 rounds of questions. The Saint Readers won the toss and decided to go first.
Question: In the book Our Lady of Guadalupe by Mary Fabyan Windeatt, why did Juan Diego try to go around Tepeyac Hill?
The Saint Readers' response: Because he did not keep his promise to meet Mary.
Ms. Brooks: Please explain more.
The Saint Readers continued: "He could not keep his promise because his uncle was sick."
Ms. Brooks said; "Correct."
The whistle blew: "First Down!"
Now it was the Religious Soldiers' turn.
Question: In the book I Am Helen Keller by Helen Norwich, where was Helen Keller Born?
The Religious Soldiers' Response: Kentucky.
Ms. Brooks said: "Incorrect"
Now for the steal, this was the Saint Readers' chance to not only get ahead, but to strive for the new all-time high score!
Questions: In the book I Am Helen Keller by Helen Norwich, where was Helen Keller Born?
The Saint Readers' Response: Alabama.
Ms. Brooks said; "Correct."
The Saint Readers selected one of their teammates to throw the ball to the endzone...
The whistle blew: "Touchdown!!!"
The Saint Readers had done it, and even before their second round of questions began!
The rest of the game was an exciting mix of correct answers, near misses, and rallying to get back in the game!
At halftime, the Third Grade class handed out delicious popcorn to the family and peer spectators. The question on everyone's mind; however, was if the Saint Readers would go all the way to become the new keepers of the high score?
The final whistle: The Saint Readers had made it to 53 points! An impressive sum; however, last year's score from the Eagles remains the one to beat at 58 points!
Excellent work Third Grade! Your families and teachers are proud of you for all of the effort you put into learning! I followed up with the Third Grade students later and found that they, along with many of the students from Preschool to Eighth Grade, thought this was both novel and fun!
What a way to celebrate our heritage as a Catholic School in the United States of America! At the intersection of faith, knowledge, and virtue, you will find students answering the call to Sainthood at St. Joseph Catholic School.
By Mark Krautscheid, Vice-Principal of St. Joseph Catholic School 2025-2026