The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Team will compete in the National Championship Tournament in Torrance, California, from April 11-14, marking its third consecutive appearance at the event.
The tournament is significant as it brings together students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to test their academic knowledge across a range of subjects. The UMES team will be one of 32 HBCUs competing for a $100,000 grand prize provided by the Honda Motor Company.
This year’s varsity team includes captain and senior computer science major Jossie Gates, junior agribusiness major Essence Coley, junior biochemistry/pre-med major Jasmine McKinnie, and freshman aviation science major Jovahn Lewis Jr. UMES secured its spot after a strong performance at the National Qualifying Tournament held at Virginia State University on Feb. 21. It is also the only HBCU representing Maryland at this year’s national championship.
Coley said, “The opportunity to return to nationals is one we’ve been looking forward to. We have a new team dynamic that has helped us fill one of our biggest weaknesses. That makes us a more balanced team than we have been in the past.” Coach Earl Holland Jr., who also serves as UMES public relations director, said, “Since we started working with this group in the fall, we saw the potential in this team and what they could be. These students are competitive, selfless, and have shown that they can rise to the occasion when called upon.”
The coaching staff includes Holland and volunteer assistant Mark DeMorra, both former UMES HCASC players. Since joining the competition in 1989-90, UMES has earned $145,000 in grants from HCASC events. The university’s best finish was as national runner-up during the 2003-04 school year.
Team members prepare through thrice-weekly practices focused on trivia knowledge and quick reflexes. Gates said these sessions have improved her confidence: “I’ve grown more confident in playing categories that I would’ve been scared to tackle in the past… I feel more capable and surer of myself in what I can bring to the team.” McKinnie added about their teamwork: “What makes this team stand apart from other HCASC teams we’ve had is that we are genuinely very good friends… there’s this kind of understanding where it feels very much like a family.”
