GEAR UP hosted its 4th Annual Black History Bowl Wednesday at UTC for seventh and eighth grade students at Dalewood Middle School, East Lake Academy, Franklin Middle School, Orchard Knob Middle School and Chattanooga Middle Museum Magnet School.
The students earned the right to compete at UTC by winning qualifying contests at their schools during GEAR UP’s seven week After School Program.
The winning teams included First Place winners Orchard Knob Middle School’s “Civil Rights Leaders” featuring Frederick Walker, Shanice Little, Charlotte Wigfall, Ashley Bolden, Mandisa Williams, Kanesha Earvin and Willie Edmonds, Second Place winners Franklin Middle School’s “Abolitionists” featuring Erica Holloway, Dasha Hamler, Cassandra person and Rekedia Ware, and Third Place winners Dalewood Middle School’s “Dr. King’s Dreamers” featuring Shaquela Collier, Tyler Shackelford, Ciarra White, Anthony North and Tracey Atkins.
The other competing teams were Chattanooga Middle School’s “Million Strong” featuring Marquita Rue, Zakeas Blatche, Andrew Knox, Tushima Farmer, Lasha Rockymore and East Lake Academy’s “I Have a Dream” Team featuring Kiara Hardaway, Jocelin Bowman, Dedrick Butchee, Shonequa Harris, Terrance Akins, Rebbecca Gifford, and Ashley Olson. Also in attendance that day were all students who participate in the GEAR UP After School program, UTC counselors and Hamilton County teachers as well as interested principals, university students and administrators and community members. In addition, UTC students and staff served as judges and scorekeepers.
In game-show format, the bowl incorporated elements of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” and “Jeopardy” with all questions being based on Black History facts. Questions ranged from “Who invented the ironing board?” to identifying a verse from a Langston Hughes poem. With an unprecedented 3-round tiebreaker, the 4th Annual GEAR UP Black History Bowl celebrated the efforts and dedication these students have put toward their education throughout the school year.
GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) helps inner-city students prepare for college success beginning in their middle school years. GEAR UP is a UTC-led partnership that includes Hamilton County schools, the Tennessee National Guard, Junior Achievement, and many other individuals and local companies and agencies. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and our local partners. For more information, please contact Dr. Hunter Huckabay, Director of GEAR UP, 425-5386, hunter-huckabay@utc.edu. The mission of GEAR UP is help students get to, pay for and succeed in college.