The academic tournament is designed to enhance quick thinking, logical reasoning, teamwork, and communication skills
From February 13 to 15, School of the Nations hosted the 2025 High School Knowledge Bowl for the first time, welcoming seven schools from across Brazil that are part of the American Association of Schools in Brazil (AASB). Over two days of competition, students from Grades 9 to 12 engaged in an intense academic contest that went beyond testing their knowledge—it fostered camaraderie, collaboration, and, above all, teamwork.
The competition brought together students from Nations, PACA, Our Lady of Mercy School (OLM), The American School of Recife (EAR), The American School of Rio de Janeiro (EARJ), The American School of Belo Horizonte (EABH), Chapel School, and International School of Curitiba (ISC). Throughout the event, participants faced a variety of mental challenges, answering questions across diverse subjects such as pop culture, fine arts, history, computational math, and more. In a dynamic format, teams buzzed in to respond under pressure, showcasing both their academic abilities and their capacity to think quickly and work together effectively.
Beyond the competition itself, visiting students had the chance to explore Brasília, visiting some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and deepening their cultural experience while forming new friendships with peers from different schools.
A Podium of Academic Champions
Emerging as the top team of the 2025 High School Knowledge Bowl, Our Lady of Mercy School (OLM) secured first place. The American School of Recife earned second place, followed closely by The American School of Belo Horizonte in third.
School of the Nations was represented by a dedicated team of six high school students—Isabel Mendes, Ward Saqair, Gabriel Cavalcanti, Maria Giulia Queiroz, William Chao, and Nicole Faryj. In their debut appearance in the competition, the team placed sixth, demonstrating resilience and a strong foundation for future participation.
A word from our Students
Gabriel Cavalcanti, a Grade 11 student, reflected on his experience competing for the first time:
"It was my first time participating in something like this, and it was an amazing experience. I had a lot of fun, and I felt that the overall event—the competition, the city tour—created an atmosphere that, despite being competitive, was still lighthearted and enjoyable."
"I was able to develop both specific and general skills, such as strategic thinking, communication, and reading. I believe that experiences like this are incredibly beneficial for students. They’re fun and different, and beyond that, they give us the chance to meet new people and add something valuable to our resumes—something that could even help with university acceptance in the future."
Isabel Mendes, also in Grade 11, emphasized how the skills she developed through the competition will play a role in shaping her future
"That was my first time participating in the competition, and in my opinion, it was an incredible opportunity. Even though we formed our team recently, we managed to come together and interact in the best way possible with the other teams. Since we are a young team, new to this environment, I believe we did our best to compete on equal footing with more experienced teams—and that’s what made it so exciting."
"One of the biggest lessons I took from the Knowledge Bowl was learning to trust what I know and have more confidence in myself. I learned not to doubt myself in these situations but instead to believe in my abilities, and that was incredibly important for me. I'll definitely carry this experience into my future, not just academically, but also in terms of communication. Through the tournament, we developed our communication skills in a meaningful way, and that is something truly valuable for our future."
A Milestone for Nations
Hosting the High School Knowledge Bowl for the first time was a milestone for School of the Nations, reinforcing its commitment to academic excellence and providing students with opportunities to challenge themselves beyond the classroom. The event not only celebrated intellectual curiosity but also strengthened the bonds between schools, fostering a spirit of collaboration and learning that extends far beyond competition. As the Nations team looks ahead to future editions, their performance this year marks just the beginning of a promising journey in the Knowledge Bowl tradition.
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