Previous Story
MBA crowned champions for Academic Bee
Marianas Baptist Academy students, along with their parents and coach Manuel Castro, center, show off their trophies after beating four other schools in the 2014 Junior High Academic Bee held last March 1 at Saipan Southern High School (Contributed Photo)
More than 200 people watched as Marianas Baptist Academy prevailed against four other schools in the 12th Junior High Academic Bee challenge held last March 1 at Saipan Southern High School.
A total of five schools entered five-member teams for the competition. MBA got 860 points over finalists Mount Carmel School and Chacha Oceanview Junior High School, which placed second and third, respectively.
During the first half of the competition Mount Carmel came in first place and Chacha Oceanview came in second, while MBA and Hopwood Junior High School were tied for third.
The second round took a dramatic turn with the erstwhile top schools faltering that landed MBA to first place.
The winning team was made up of Ezekiel Alfred, Stephen Eo, Jonah Pohl, Ian Cataluna, and Joseph Seo. They were coached by Manuel Castro, Jr., an 8th to 11th grade teacher at MBA.
MCS scored 800 points for second and Chacha Oceanview placed third with 765 points. Hopwood and Saipan International School came in last this year, losing their championship to MBA.
Castro said that this year was his first time to train MBA students, and it indeed worthwhile.
“I’m very thankful for all the students who diligently worked for the Academic Bee and parents that supported and for our principal and mostly for the glory of god,” Castro said.
The SSHS National Honor Society hosted the annual junior high school division.
The event started from 9am until noon. Castro said that he is happy cause it is his first time to coach for the event.
