Faith Nazarene School wins Social Studies Quiz
Students from all districts competed today in the Belize Tourism Board’s fifth annual Social Studies Quiz. The competition started at the district level in September 2008, but only twelve students from standards five and six made it through the elimination rounds to today’s grand finale. And after five rounds of — questions, Ali Guevara of Faith Nazarene School in Cayo took home the top prize. Solomon Dueck of Solid Rock Academy in Stann Creek came in second, with Heidan Sosa of Libertad S.D.A., Corozal taking third place. The annual quiz is aimed at promoting civic pride in the youths and covers a wide array of facts about Belize. We spoke to the Chairman of the Social Studies Quiz Committee and the top three contenders after the award presentations.
Lloyd Enriquez, Chairman, Social Studies Quiz Committee
“The questions comprised of historical facts about Belize and even current events about Belize. You know the students at those grade levels need to listen to the news and be prepared to know about their county, to learn about their country. We feel that if a student knows and learns a lot about their country, they will be able to share that with anybody.”
Ali Guevara, 1st Place, B.T.B. Social Studies Quiz
“I’m very happy and glad to win first place.”
Delahnie Bain
“How long have you been preparing for the competition?”
Ali Guevara
“Like from February.”
Delahnie Bain
“And what kind of studying did you do?”
Ali Guevara
“Social Studies everyday, in the evening and in the night before I go to sleep, I study.”
Delahnie Bain
“And at school? Did you do any kind of preparation at school?”
Ali Guevara
“Sometimes in the afternoon after lunch I study.”
Solomon Dueck, 2nd Place, B.T.B. Social Studies Quiz
“I feel pretty good. I think it was all the hours that I studied.”
Delahnie Bain
“How long have you been preparing?”
Solomon Dueck
“Hmm, countless. I studied at school and home most of the time.”
Delahnie Bain
“You’re coming back next year?”
Solomon Dueck
“No, because I am in standard six.”
Delahnie Bain
“Did you find the quiz hard?”
Solomon Dueck
“No.”
Heidan Sosa, 3rd Place, B.T.B. Social Studies Quiz
“Well, I’m just so glad.”
Delahnie Bain
“And you said this is the first time you’re in the competition?”
Heidan Sosa
“Yes.”
Delahnie Bain
“How long have you been working towards today?”
Heidan Sosa
“Almost like six months. My teacher, every afternoon since I won the district level, she’s been giving me social studies every afternoon.”
Delahnie Bain
“You’re coming back next year for first place?”
Heidan Sosa
“Definitely.”
Lloyd Enriquez
“It’s a real uplifting moment for the students. As you saw here today, they were all excited, they were all prepared and they were very proud of being here and that is exactly what we want to achieve.”
And the trophies were not the only awards being handed out. District Education Officers from throughout the country, were given gift baskets in recognition of their work in the district level rounds of the competition.
