The Newbery Quiz Bowl recently celebrated its 25th anniversary at Kamehameha-Hawaii with 18 teams of fourth- through seventh-graders competing in the event.
The Wildcats of Konawaena Elementary emerged as winners after all teams were presented a tie-breaker question.
The champions were Jared Barrett, Dillon Sumida, Sara Kimura, Natalie Kamigaki and Sean Kobayashi. Second place was captured by the Lighthouse Hawaii Island Christian Home Educators comprised of Jacob Rapoza, Jayden Wertz, Caitlyn Wertz, Carina Cook and Zachary Rapoza. In third place were The Invincible Readers who were sponsored by Hilo Public Library. Members were Molly Russell, Phoebe Wyatt, Keiko Wolfson and Clara Kraus. The Kaumana Reading Stars took fourth place with members Kenny Heikes, Lauren Spencer, Makana Huddleston, Kadence Carvalho, and Mikailee Palmerston.
The 15 other teams who put their heads together to determine answers to the 31 questions posed by quiz master Alice Moon were Haaheo, Hawaii Classical Christian Academy, Hilo Union, Holualoa, Hawaii Preparatory Academy lower, Hawaii Preparatory Academy middle, Kahakai Elementary, Kamehameha Middle School, Kealakehe Elementary, Kealakehe Intermediate, Kohala Elementary, Konawaena Elementary, St. Joseph, Waiakea Elementary and Waikoloa home-schooled students.
The silver anniversary of the Newbery Quiz Bowl kicked off with rousing cheers led by the event’s creator Julia Tao, former librarian of Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate School. She stressed that all participants in the quiz bowl were already winners for having read Newbery-recognized books. Co-chairwoman and retired librarian Paula Kamiya announced the participating teams as they thanked Tao for her dedication and enthusiasm in promoting lifelong learning and the joy of reading quality literature. After 25 successful years, Tao stepped down but will continue to support this event. Guillmina Reis has accepted the challenge to assist Kamiya in keeping the quiz bowl alive for island youngsters keen on reading the ever-growing number of Newbery books. Selected titles for the 2014-15 Newbery Quiz Bowl have already been announced.
An audience of parents, administrators, peer supporters, and volunteers observed the competition at William Charles Lunalilo Integrated Facility.