Carter Lorence doesn’t just participate in Scholar Bowl—he lives it. For the Centralia High School junior, the academic competition is more than just an extracurricular activity; it’s a proving ground for his intellect, his competitive spirit, and his determination to push himself to new heights.

“I think the biggest thing for me is that it makes me feel smart,” Carter said. “It allows me to use whatever competitive drive I have in me as well as my intelligence to try to show for Centralia… and hopefully look good on a college application.”

Scholar Bowl has become a defining part of Carter’s high school experience. Though he first joined the competition team in sixth grade, the pandemic disrupted his involvement, and he didn’t return until his freshman year. Since then, he has climbed the ranks to become team captain and MVP, leading a squad that balances passion with a rigorous academic load.

His coach, Jason Kuester, has seen the transformation firsthand. A CHS alumnus himself, Kuester has coached the varsity Scholar Bowl team for nearly 15 years, mentoring students like Carter along the way.

“Carter’s definitely in the top five in his class,” Kuester said. “He’s number three right now, and he’s aiming for number one by next year.”

Scholar Bowl at Centralia High School is no casual club—it’s a serious, months-long commitment. The season starts in early September and runs well into March, making it one of the longest competitive activities at the school. With matchups against powerhouse programs like O’Fallon, a much larger suburban school with a deep talent pool and additional academic offerings, CHS often finds itself the underdog. But Carter and his team don’t shy away from the challenge.

“When we go to regionals, our first match is against Benton,” Kuester explained. “But our second match is against O’Fallon, which is three times our size. They offer classes we don’t offer. They have three times the number of students, three times the tax base—at least.”

Despite these challenges, Carter remains undeterred. His natural curiosity and hunger for knowledge go far beyond the classroom, and that’s what sets him apart.

A Mind That Never Stops Learning

“I don’t keep what I learn in the classroom or only learn in the classroom,” Carter said. “I like learning—it’s really fun. Which is why I plan to learn for most of my life.”

This mindset explains why, in addition to leading the Scholar Bowl team, Carter is taking five honors courses: Pre-Calculus, AP U.S. History, Honors English III, Honors Biology II, and Honors Chemistry II. He is the only student at CHS enrolled in that many advanced-level classes this year.

But Carter’s thirst for knowledge doesn’t stop with traditional subjects. His passion for marine biology has been a lifelong pursuit, something he has nurtured despite growing up in a landlocked state.

“I wanted this job since I was in kindergarten, if not before then,” Carter said. “I’ve always wanted to be a marine biologist. I’ve just loved the ocean—even being more than 10 hours away from one.”

He has traveled extensively, visiting dozens of aquariums across the country to deepen his understanding of marine life.

“It’s a toss-up between Georgia Aquarium, which has a whale shark, and Shedd Aquarium,” he said of his favorites, though he also praised the Tennessee River Aquarium as “very underrated.”

Carter’s dream school is Bowdoin College in Maine, where he hopes to double major in marine biology and history. He is planning to apply early decision, knowing that the school’s rigorous academic environment and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean make it an ideal fit.

“I plan to go there because not only is it very prestigious, I also think from what I’ve learned it offers a lot of openness… and a lot of freedom from maybe the pride or really competitive, cutthroat nature of the very high Ivy League schools.”

Although he has considered other elite liberal arts colleges like Amherst and Williams, Bowdoin remains his top choice.

“I need to strike a good balance of trying to get the highest of what I’m able to achieve but not overestimating my capabilities,” he explained. “I truly believe if I do very well in Scholar Bowl and in school and apply early, I can get in.”

A Family of Scholars and a Drive to Compete

Carter’s competitive nature isn’t just self-driven—it runs in the family. His older brother, Connor, was also a Scholar Bowl MVP at CHS and is now a junior at Louisiana State University.

“He too was the MVP of Scholar Bowl, so I’m assuming that must be hereditary,” Carter joked.

But beyond genetics, Carter credits his family for exposing him to a world beyond the borders of rural Illinois.

“I have been to all 48 mainland states,” he said. “In fact, I think I’ve been to all 48 before I was in high school.”

This exposure, he believes, has played a major role in shaping his intellectual curiosity.

“It’s one of the most important things for anybody, but especially for intelligence—it’s about seeing the world, it’s about experiencing different things.”

His parents have been strong supporters of his academic journey, attending his competitions and encouraging his pursuit of knowledge. His grandfather, a dedicated Jeopardy! fan, also played a role in nurturing his love for trivia and intellectual challenges.

Building a Legacy at CHS

Even as Carter looks toward the future, he remains committed to making an impact at Centralia High School. In addition to Scholar Bowl, he is exploring the possibility of starting an ecological club.

“I think something we really miss out on at CHS is having more options for science outside of the main courses and agriculture,” he said. “I think it could really help both CHS and possibly the community by trying to keep track of what animals we have here, trying to upkeep the parks, and possibly planting native wildlife or flora.”

As he prepares to apply to Bowdoin, Carter is aware that his background as a high-achieving student from a rural public school might actually work in his favor. Colleges like Bowdoin seek students who bring unique perspectives, and Carter’s journey—from Scholar Bowl MVP to aspiring marine biologist—certainly makes him stand out.

“There’s no doubt he’s going to receive scholarships,” Kuester said. “The question is just how much and from where.”

For now, Carter is focused on finishing his junior year strong, leading his Scholar Bowl team to another competitive season, and making the most of every academic opportunity available to him.

“I have been nothing but improving throughout my entire school year,” he said. “My first year, I was seventh in my class. Sophomore year, I was fifth. This year, I’m third. Every year, I’ve been constantly getting more and more toss-ups.”

That relentless drive, combined with his passion for learning, ensures that no matter where he goes next, Carter Lorence will continue to make waves—both in the classroom and, one day perhaps, the ocean.