Cayo student tops social studies quiz
It may be part of Tourism Awareness Week, but the questions asked at today’s school competition at the Bliss are ones that should be answered by all Belizeans, not just those in the hospitality industry. News Five’s Kendra Griffith reports.
Kendra Griffith, Reporting
Students from all over the country packed into the Bliss today to cheer on their representatives at the third annual B.T.B. Primary School Social Studies Quiz.
Keesha Young, Product Development Officer, B.T.B.
“We’ve had eliminations since October of last year. We come today with twelve contestants. We have two contestants representing each district.”
The students sailed through the first couple of rounds of questioning, getting almost everything right. That lucky streak ended, however, when the organizers brought out the reserve list.
William Neal, Quiz Master
“What do you call a piece of land, almost surrounded by water or projecting far into a sea or lake, an example of which is Placencia in southern Belize?”
Zadiel Narvallez
“Island.”
William Neal
“Try Again.”
Zadiel Narvallez never did come up with the right answer, peninsula.
That challenging stage of questioning ended with five of the participants tied for three positions, requiring a round of tie breakers.
Vying for third place were Narvallez, who hails from Guinea Grass Pentecostal, Khrystara Andrews of Ladyville Evangelical, and Xu’xec Novelo of Hummingbird in Belize City.
William Neal
“What document, signed by the settlers of British Honduras in 1765, is considered Belize’s first constitution?”
Xu’xec Novelo
“Burnaby’s Code.”
When Khrystara and Zadiel could not answer their questions correctly, Xu’xec was declared the third place winner.
Then came the bid for first and second. Suleima Pat, of Yo Creek R.C. was up first.
William Neal
“What does the abbreviation D.F.C. stand for?”
Suleima Pat
“Department of Finance Corporation?”
With Suleima answering incorrectly, the decision fell on the shoulders of twelve year old Cesar Correa. If he gets it right, he’s the champ.
William Neal
“What is the meaning of the abbreviation, O.A.S.?”
Cesar Correa
“ … Organization of American States.”
William Neal
“Correct.”
(Audience cheers)
Cesar Correa, Winner, Social Studies Quiz
“Yes, I am very happy.”
Correa, a standard six student at St. Edmund Campeon R.C. in Cayo, said hard work earned him his victory.
Cesar Correa
“I studied all the extra times that I got, studied hard until I get my dream to become a winner of the country of Belize.”
Kendra Griffith
“Who helped you when you were studying?”
Cesar Correa
“My teacher helped me, some of my classmates and my brothers.”
Kendra Griffith
“Suleima, was the competition really hard for you?”
Suleima Pat, 2nd Place, Social Studies Quiz
“Yes, it was.”
Kendra Griffith
“Are you happy with your second place win?”
Suleima Pat
“Yes, I am really happy.”
Just as happy with her third place finish is twelve year old Xu’xec Novelo, who placed first at the district level last year.
Xu’xec Novelo, 3rd Place, Social Studies Quiz
“In the first part it was really easy because it was study questions, but then in the reserve round, you had to use your brain a lot, lot, lot because then you haven’t studied the questions before and maybe some of them you haven’t heard before.”
According to Product Development Officer at B.T.B., Keesha Young, besides being an activity for Tourism Awareness Week, the quiz serves several other purposes.
Keesha Young
“It is actually developed to instil some sort of civic pride, national awareness, as well as to get these kids involved in the industry, give them a little knowledge about what the B.T.B. does and what the tourism industry is doing for Belize.”
Kendra Griffith reporting for News Five.
In addition to the trophies, school bags full of goodies, and destination packages, the first place winner received a computer and printer donated by PACT, second place won a cellular phone from SMART, while third received an MP3 player from Mala’s.
