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Jonathan Grant stomps Bog Walk

TVJ'S SCHOOLS' CHALLENGE Quiz began its 2004 season yesterday with the battle of St. Catherine when Jonathan Grant High took on quiz neophytes Bog Walk High in the first of five preliminary matches.

Jonathan Grant was eager to improve the performance they gave last year when they were eliminated in the first round by Camperdown High, and did just that. Captained by Jermaine Francis, the school's head boy, they outclassed Bog Walk 35-17.

During round one, when the schools are required to answer questions alternately, Jonathan Grant played it safe, only answering those questions they were sure about. However, that did not prevent them from giving a curious answer to the question on the definition of 'espionage'. They responded that espionage "Was really bad activity." When pressed to clarify they replied, "Really disgusting activity".

The correct answer was 'spying'.

Another answer from Jonathan Grant that raised eyebrows during the round was proffered in response to the question, "What was the University of Technology formerly called?" They responded, "Mona Campus". The correct answer was the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST).

In the meantime, Bog Walk seemed to be trying to go one better when they were asked, "What was the former name of the Northern Caribbean University?" Their captain, Rosemarie Robinson, was heard telling her team members "West Indies Trading". A quick-thinking team member, however, shouted the correct answer, "West Indies College".

Bog Walk tried their best to keep up with Jonathan Grant and at the end of the round the scores were 12-9 in favour of the latter.

In round two, when teams answer questions in three alternate one-minute periods, Jonathan Grant widened their lead and by the end of the round the scores read Jonathan Grant 30, Bog Walk 19.

Prior to the start of round three, Jonathan Grant was awarded an additional point for correctly answering a question on the SI unit of density.

During the round when the school that responds first to questions posed by pressing a buzzer is given the opportunity to answer, Jonathan Grant was not as dominant. Despite answering more questions, they ended the round and the game on 35 points.

Francis, the winning captain, told THE STAR afterwards that despite his team's win, he was disappointed. "We came here expecting to do better," he said. "We should have played better."

The team is also comprised of Dave Francis, Keneisha Cohen and Omar Jumm. Courtney Clarke and Marcia Higgins are the coaches.

Robinson, Bog Walk's captain, attributed her team's performance to nerves. "We were nervous," she said. "We will be back next year." Olando Barrett, Ivor Hamilton, and Omar Francis, completed that team. They were coached by Marcikie Henry and Cecil Donald.

This first match was also the chance for TVJ to show off their technological additions to the competition. Instead of the names of the team members being pasted onto the podiums where they sat, the names are now electronically displayed on television screens as the team members introduced themselves. And during each round, a clock showing the time elapsed was displayed on the screen.

See tomorrow's paper for the report on the exciting East versus West match up between Gaynstead High and Petersfield High.