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MBA rules Academic Challenge Bee
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Posted on Mar 17 2009
Marianas Baptist Academy was adjudged this year’s champion in the 7th Annual Academic Challenge Bee organized by the National Honor Society’s Saipan Southern High School chapter.
Middle school students Se Young Hwang, Suk Koo Kim, Young Eun Lee, Hye Young Oh, and Kanata Omori emerged the top performers, besting teams from other private and public middle schools.
The event was held earlier this month at the Saipan Southern High School campus cafeteria and drew 45 participants and nearly a hundred spectators and supporters.
Se Young Hwang said the honor was unexpected. “We’re so happy because we didn’t expect it. But I guess our preparations helped us a lot,” she said.
Hwang, an 8th grader, is also an active participant in various academic contests such as the National Junior Forensic League, Mathcounts, and Spelling Bee.
Just last Saturday, she emerged champion in the Scripps Spelling Bee in Guam and will represent the region in the national contest in May. Hwang also recently finished top sixth in the 15th Annual State Mathcounts competition.
Hye Young Oh, a member of the winning team, was satisfied with their performance in the Academic Bee. “That was my first time in the Academic Bee and it was a great experience,” she said yesterday. “It was really fun.”
Like Hwang, Oh is also a consistent honor student and active participant in the NJFL, Mathcounts, and other school activities. She finished Top 4 in the State Mathcounts competition on March 7.
Last year’s champion, Hopwood Junior High School, finished runner-up to MBA this time. Hopwood’s students were John Paul Aglubat, Marjorie Ann Cuerdo, Emelyn Feria, Ezra Lizama, and Jessie Santos.
Named third best team was Saipan Community School composed of Sabina Calvo, Brian Cho, Eron Constante, Mikey Johnson, and Jimin Rye.
There were nine school teams in this year’s competition: Chacha Oceanview, Hopwood, MBA, Rota Junior High, Saipan International School, Grace Christian Academy, Ladera International School, Mount Carmel School, and Saipan Community School.
Jesse Tudela, National Honor Society adviser for the SSHS chapter, expressed hope of getting the Tinian Junior High School to participate in the event next year.
