An academic competition structured to increase awareness of African History among our youth.  The program is designed to make learning fun.  The students’ compete in a game of African American history to see who has the most knowledge.  By competing, they are learning.  This program also gives us a chance to enhance the school’s library with more African American literature.

 

PURPOSE:

The Academic Heritage Quiz Bowl's purpose is to increase the awareness of African American history among youth.

 

BACKGROUND:

Programming for the Academic Heritage Quiz Bowl was started in 2001. This program was initiated through the efforts of former State Representative Willie Hunter, Jr. who wanted to do something different and fun for the children in his district and at the same time enhance the school libraries by purchasing $1,000 in books and videos. Over the last seven years, this program has been funded by the State of Louisiana.

 

THE COMPETITION:

The students compete in a game of African American history to se who has the most knowledge. By competing, they are learning. This program also gives us a chance to enhance the competing school's library with more African American history, and it rewards the students with monetary incentive. There are three levels of competition: elementary, junior high/middle school and high school. Students are chosen by their school to compete. There are five members per team and one alternte. The competitors are provided questions in a study guide to prepare for the competition. Each team is coached by a teach from their own school. the questions are asked by a moderator of the game who selects the questions randomly from the study guide. There are three topics of research questions that students must find their own answers to random unknown questions. The team that rings the buzzer first gets to answer the question. Each question is worth 10 points except in the bonus round. Bonus round answers ware worth 20 points. The team with the most points wins.

 

AWARDS:

There are three award categories: first, second and third place. First place winners in the past have won $1,000 in library books for their school and a trophy. The first place team aslo receives $500 for the student participants. Second and third place winners receive a trophy for their school, and $250 and $125 respectively for the student participants.

 

WINNERS:

Over the years, this bowl has become very competitive, especially between the high schools and elementary schools. Wossman High won and held first place in the high school competition from 2003 to 2005 and then in 2007 and 2008. Richwood High won first place in 2006. Minnie Ruffin Elementary held firs place in 2004 and 2005; Jefferson Upper Elementary won first place in 2003; Lincoln Elementary won in 2006; Barkdull Faulk Elementary in 2007 and Robinson Elementary in 2008. Carroll Jr. High won first place in 2003 and 2008; Ouachita Jr. High won in 2005 and 2006; Martin Luther King won in 2007.

 

SCHEDULE DATES:

The bowl is held every year on the last Saturday in January. The 2009 Bowl will be held on January 31 at Richwood High School. The Bowl's location rotates every year between the high schools.

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Mona Hamilton-Gibbs, Deputy Director

Barbara Martin - Chairperson

Michelle Saucer-McGuire

Carrie Simon

Nora Brown

Chuck Lee

Tabitha Williams-Ross