Rota Jr. High wins Academic Bee Challenge

The five-member team of Rota Junior High School emerged as this year’s Academic Bee Challenge champion that saw students from fourth to sixth grades competing.

Kelina Hocog, Franory Lynn Mesngon, Beda Mundo, John Quitugua III, and Bri Annie Taimanao bested 70 other contenders during Saturday’s competition at Pedro P. Tenorio Mult-Purpose Center in Susupe.

Organized by Marianas High School’s National Honor Society, the event marked the 14th year the Academic Bee Challenge was held in the CNMI. It saw the participation of 15 primary schools from both public and private.

National Honor Society adviser Lyvonn Taisacan said Saturday’s event was the first time Rota Junior High ever participated in the Academic Bee Challenge.

The team members, along with their teachers and coaches, were awarded individual medals, trophy, and certificates of recognition.

Emerging second best team was Calvary Christian Academy’s Sanannah Lyn Delos Santos, Hyn Bin Huang, Ye Young Lee, Grant Rhee, and Tiana Mahealani Runjo, while third place went to the San Vicente Elementary team comprised of Joann Bandales, Ann Jeline Manabat, Johnny Penalosa, Gayatri Nandwani, and Solomon Ko.

During the three-hour competition, teams went through a total of 41 questions covering various subject areas like English, math, science, history, and social studies.

There were 20 questions classified as easy, 15 categorized as medium, and six labeled as hard questions which required more critical thinking and analysis.

The competition, conceptualized locally for schools in the CNMI, aims to better promote learning among students.

“Our objective is just to get students come together, provide them an opportunity to academically compete with each other, and provide them a fun way of getting them motivated to study in schools,” said Taisacan.

Elated by the turnout, she said the 15 schools is a new record for the annual competition.

Saipan Tribune learned that there were 16 schools who pre-registered for the event but Tanapag Elementary did not show up.

Taisacan said that there were an estimated 75 students who spent almost two months for the competition rounds.

Every year, she said, teams show better preparations, good sportsmanship, competitiveness, and enthusiasm in the Academic Bee Challenge.

The 15 schools that joined Saturday’s competition included William S. Reyes, San Vicente, Oleai, Kagman Elementary, Dandan, Gregorio T. Camacho, Garapan Elementary, Koblerville, Mount Carmel School, Ladera International School, Saipan International School, Sinapalo Elementary, Calvary Christian Academy, Saipan Community School, and Rota Junior High.

MHS’ National Honor Society has over 60 members who continue to inspire their peers as role models in the community.

Besides organizing the Academic Bee challenge for elementary students, the society also conducts numerous community service and programs including beach cleanups, Christmas caroling for elderly and hospital patients, and initiate leadership conference for youths every year.

To become a member of the National Honor Society, a student must have good character and maintain a 3.25 GPA.

Last February, Saipan Southern High School National Honor Society conducted the Academic Bee Challenge for junior high schools, which was won by a team from Marianas Baptist Academy.