For the second consecutive year, University of Maryland Eastern Shore students are advancing to the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) National Championship Tournament (NCT).
The NCT, which features 32 of the nation’s historically black institutions vying for a $100,000 institutional grant from Honda in a battle of quick trivia recall, is taking place April 12-16 in Torrance, California. In all, $500,000 in grants will be given to the participating HBCUs.
“UMES is excited to have talented students represent us in back-to-back years in this competition,” said Earl D. Holland Jr., team coach and UMES’ director of public relations. “We revived the team three years ago and are proud of these bright minds who will compete.”
This year’s “Thrilling 32” were selected from a field of 50 HBCUs that competed in six regional qualifying tournaments around the country held in late February. UMES, which hosted one of the tournaments, was one of the five schools from its regional to advance to the NCT.
The team heading to California includes captain Jossie Gates, a junior majoring in computer science from St. Louis, Mo.; Essence Coley, a sophomore majoring in graphic design from Bowie, Md.; Amir Gawish, a senior computer science major from Silver Spring, Md.; and Destenie Barnaby, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry and pre-pharmacy from Laurel, Md.
Barnaby, the lone returner from last year’s NCT team, noted the key to success in the competition is having a sense of urgency.
“You can’t hesitate,” she said. “If you think you might know the answer, it’s probably the right answer. If it’s not right, it’s not the worst thing in the world to be wrong.”
Since it began competing in the event in the 1989-90 academic year, UMES has earned more than $145,000 in grants, including $6,000 as an NCT qualifier last year. The university’s best single-season performance was in 2003-04 when it brought home $26,000 for being the national runner-up.
According to Jasmine Cockfield, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge project lead at American Honda Motor Co., Inc., the event “has showcased the brilliance and vibrant culture of HBCU students across generations, helping drive the powerful legacy of HBCUs.”
For more information about the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, go to www.hcasc.com. For more information about UMES’ Honda Campus All-Star Challenge program, go to wwwcp.umes.edu/hcasc.
