Lee Hosts 16th Annual Constitution Day Quiz Bowl

by Kamea Sutherland

Cleveland, TN (09/24/2026) —

On Friday, Sept. 18, Lee University welcomed high school students from across Tennessee to campus to compete in the 16th annual Constitution Day Quiz Bowl. Cleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks provided opening remarks, welcoming the 20 teams.

"The Constitution Day Quiz Bowl is a great way to bring the community together and to celebrate the civic knowledge being taught in our local schools," said Dr. Thomas Pope, professor of political science at Lee. "I'm always so impressed with the preparation of these teams, as well as the character and enthusiasm of the Lee students who facilitate the event. So much work goes into this event and to see it bring joy and understanding year after year is incredibly rewarding."

The Quiz Bowl, hosted by Lee's Center for Responsible Citizenship (CRC) and facilitated by the political science faculty, has become a signature event in the region. Sixty-eight Lee undergraduates volunteered to make the day possible. Students staffed competition rooms, served as team "mascots," and offered encouragement and hospitality to participants.

"I enjoyed participating as a mascot in this year's Constitution Day Quiz Bowl," said Olivia Divel, a senior English major. "I was able to cheer on students from my high school who were competing in this event. Not only was I able to encourage them, but I was also able to talk about my experience at Lee and encourage them to come one day, too."

Each team participated in three rounds of competition, with their scores from each round totaled into a final score. The event concluded with the final round between the two top-scoring teams. A team from Bradley Beta Homeschool faced off against a team from Notre Dame High School. In a close match, Bradley Beta Homeschool was awarded the championship trophy.

Dr. Mark Scully, associate professor of political science at Lee, said the Constitution Day Quiz Bowl is one of his favorite Lee traditions because of the unique stories he hears that reflect the competitors' sense of dedication, competition and camaraderie.

"One group of students petitioned their administrators to compete on a teacher in-service day, which they were originally told would not be possible," said Scully. "Another team arrived and discovered that some teammates would be absent, putting their participation at risk. When another school heard about the situation, they invited a ninth grader who had come simply to watch and support her school to join the shorthanded team. She was welcomed by a team of juniors and competed throughout the day alongside students who had been strangers that morning."

More than a single-day competition, the Constitution Day Quiz Bowl reflects the CRC's broader mission to cultivate thoughtful, responsible citizenship and strengthen connections between Lee University and the surrounding community. The CRC offers a variety of programs that encourage students, educators, and community members to engage thoughtfully with their communities and traditions, including the Founding Civics Institute and a monthly Civics Reading Group led by Pope and Scully. The Center's work is inspired by the legacy of Dr. Peter Augustine Lawler and his commitment to thoughtful Christian engagement in a complex world.For more information or to partner with the CRC, please visit leeucrc.com.

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