Announcements
You Are Cordially Invited to Attend
The 2013 Black Saga Competition Awards Reception
on
Sunday, May 19, 2013
at
The University of Maryland Baltimore County Ballroom
Main Campus, 1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
from
4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This Awards Banquet will recognize the 2013 Black Saga Competition Top Ten Teams of the Elementary and Middle School levels, Coordinators who completed their third year of service to the Competition in 2013, and Special Award Winners, including Sponsors, Contributors and Volunteers.
(Information about tickets and directions to the Banquet are included with this invitation.)
Press Information Release
Students Shine in 16th Annual Black Saga Competition
Sunday, March 17, 2013. The 16th Annual State Black Saga Competition took place on March 16, 2013 at Towson University’s Burdick Hall and Towson Union.
The Competition, an award-winning learning activity that teaches and tests student’s knowledge of the African American history, is fast becoming one of the most sought-after learning activities in the Maryland.
The Competition was created in 1992 by Dr. Charles Christian when he was a social geography professor at the University of Maryland College Park. The Competition has won many awards over the years, including the prestigious Carter G. Woodson Award, given jointly by the National Education Association (NEA) and Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) and the Daniel Roselle Award by the Middle School Council for the Social Studies.
After months of studying about people, places, events and words of wisdom, elementary and middle school students squared off this past Saturday to determine the teams of students that know the most about the African American experience in Maryland. It was an all-day event.
The study guide provided to students was nothing to treat lightly. It comprised more than 1000 questions, even including U.S. Supreme Court cases, landmarks, monuments, and markers related to the African American experience from before 1492 up to the present.
Many students are returning competitors, some having been in the Competition as 4th graders and who now are 8th graders.
Families are a major part of this Competition. In fact, many families have had all their children participate in the Competition. Families have found siblings have fun and enjoy studying together. For example, there a number of families that have had as many three children participate in the Competition over the years.
Families see the Competition as a great way to bring the family together around a particularly tough learning activity. Everyone participates.
Because families become one of the primary learning pillars in the Competition, it continues to be one of the most sought-after learning activities for parents and students wanting to see the rewards of taking on such a challenging activity and performing well.
In the Elementary and Middle School Championship Rounds, for example, there were brothers and sisters on different teams competing against each other, and in a several other instances, siblings, and even twins competed on the same team.
Because some of the teams find this information so exciting and fascinating to learn, they tend to spend many hours studying—some as much as 10 hours weekly. In fact, in one school in Anne Arundel, the teacher coordinator had to tell the participating teams to “stop studying so much.” Families who hold their own mock competitions encourage a lot of that studying.
To get to the State, many students have participated in school competitions, and sometimes, county competitions. At the State, there are preliminary rounds and school team must have one of the top ten scores to move on to the Championship round . . . and they are identified as a Top Ten Winner.
To win the State Championship, however, it takes hard work, dedication, commitment, and learning how to manage time. In addition, it also takes patience. Teams progressively moves up the ladder among the Top Ten each year until they are able to master the voluminous body of material and maybe, win the coveted championship.
The elementary and middle school Competition are relatively similar in structure, however, the middle school study guide is almost twice as many questions, 600 question versus about 1000.
The top three winning teams receive cash prizes--$300 for first place; $200 for second; and $100 for third. As Dr. Christian, the founder says, “Its more about bragging rights than money.” Even though the winners get a cash prize, it’s about being the “team that knows the most about the African American experience in Maryland.”
For more information, contact Dr. Charles Christian, Black Saga Competition, 410-531-0173, blacksagacompetition@gmail.com, blacksaga.org.
The following is a list of winners in the 2013 Annual State Black Saga Competition:
2013 Elementary School Winners
First Place
Fulton Elementary, Howard County
Students
Juliana Belt
Ethan Dixon
James-Michael Musser
Principal: Karen Moore Roby
Coordinators: Zakiya Williams, Marcy McSkimming
Second Place
Hillcrest Elementary, Baltimore County
Students
Sofia Brouse
Trinity Elmer
Ellie Schumacher
Principal: Theresa McVey
Coordinator: Lisa Black
Third Place
Hammond Elementary, Howard County
Students
Olivia Banks
Gavin DuFresne
Ben Guo
Principal: Judith Bland
Coordinators: Alfred Jones, Nicola Walker
Fourth Place
Ilchester Elementary, Howard County
Students
Kyra Britt
Maneesha Mahanama
Ayla Rahman
Principal: David Adelman
Coordinators: Tracy Stansbury, Holly Miles
Fifth Place
West Towson Elementary, Baltimore County
Students
Nancy Anderson
Jenny Glickman
Ben Richardson
Principal: Susan Hershfeld
Coordinators: Sara Chapdelaine, Maria Rockwell
Sixth Place
Hammond Elementary, Howard County
Students
Ryan Boubfil
Nicholas Devroye
Nicholas Fato
Principal: Judith Bland
Coordinators: Alfred Jones, Nicola Walker
Seventh Place
Fulton Elementary, Howard County
Students
Zach Duncan
Obioha TJ Onuwanibe
Kyle Stevenson
Principal: Karen Moore Roby
Coordinators: Zakiya Williams, Marcy McSkimming
Eighth Place
West Towson Elementary, Baltimore County
Students
Claire Hershey
Sophie Mwaisela
Kyla Perkinson
Principal: Susan Hershfeld
Coordinators: Sara Chapdelaine, Maria Rockwell
Ninth Place
Arnold Elementary, Anne Arundel County
Students
Kendall Callow
Samantha Dupcak
Maddy Wilson
Principal: Shauna Kauffman
Coordinators: Dana Smith
Shauna Kauffman
Tenth Place
Cedarmere Elementary, Baltimore County
Students
Skylar Daniels
Jada Gross
Sinwan Saeed
Principal: Stephen Coco
Coordinators: Keith Peters, Jessica Wineholt
2013 Middle School Winners
First Place
Severn River Middle, Anne Arundel County
Students
Jasper Frazee
Ethan O'Malley
Phillip Schofield
Principal: Lucinda Hudson
Coordinators: Ann O'Malley, Ginger Costa
Second Place
Folly Quarter Middle, Howard County
Students
Sarah Nalty
Imani Nokuri
Narayani Wagle
Principal: Rick Wilson
Coordinator, Bill McCauley
Third Place
Severn River Middle, Anne Arundel County
Students
Frankie Frazee
Sam Sheats
Delaney Snowden
Principal: Lucinda Hudson
Coordinators: Ann O'Malley, Ginger Costa
Fourth Place
Sudbrook Magnet Middle, Baltimore County
Students
Eriyam Ametepe
Myles Moody
Colby Ourand
Principal: Sharon Robbins
Coordinators: Suzanne Erb, Jodie Virago
Fifth Place
Roberto Clemente Middle, Montgomery County
Students
Bryan Benjamin
Daniel Li
Xin Wei Li
Principal: Khadija Barkley
Coordinators: Karen M. Joseph, Natalie Williams
Sixth Place
Ridgely Middle, Baltimore County
Students
Anna Lopez
Isabel Paranzino
Emily Persinger
Principal: Susan Evans
Coordinator: Jennifer Decio
Seventh Place
Roberto Clemente Middle, Montgomery County
Students
Delali Azamali
Seim Ftwi
Sophia Wan
Principal: Khadija Barkley
Coordinators: Karen M. Joseph, Natalie Williams
Eighth Place
Pikesville Middle, Baltimore County
Students
Rebecca Olusola
Sramika Thapa
Constance Williams
Principal: Mia Talarigo
Coordinator: Richard Hegmann
Eighth Place
Deer Park Magnet Middle, Baltimore County
Students
Priya Koindala
Joan Maingi
Rochelle Thompson
Principal: Delores Tedeschi-Butler
Coordinators: Jeff Walters, Molly Gatch
Tenth Place
Bonnie Branch Middle, Baltimore County
Students
Nicky Antill
Maxwell Myers
Taylor Wheatley
Principal: Carolyn Jameson
Coordinators: Dawn M. Wren, Faye Ebron
End End End End End#
You Are Cordially Invited to Attend
The 2012 Black Saga Competition Awards Reception
on
Sunday, April 15, 2012
at
The University of Maryland Baltimore County Ballroom
Main Campus, 1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
from
3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
This Awards Banquet will recognize the 2012 Black Saga Competition Top Ten Teams of the Elementary and Middle School levels; Coordinators who completed their third year of service to the Competition in 2012; and Special Award Winners, including Sponsors, Contributors and Volunteers.
(Information about tickets and
directions to the Banquet can be found in another announcement to follow. )
Attire: Business
RSVP: To Dr. Charles Christian at
cchristian@coppin.edu or blacksagacompetition@gmail.com
or 410-531-0173
By Friday, April 8, 20
12
_______________________________________
Contact:
Charles Christian, Ph.D.
Black Saga Competition
410-531-0173
blacksagacompetition@gmail.com
cchristian@coppin.edu
March 20, 2012
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Students Showcase Knowledge of Black History at
15th Annual Black Saga Competition
March 20, 2012—On March 17, 2011, hundreds of Elementary and Middle School students converged on the campus of Towson University to test their knowledge of the African American experience. As early as 7:00, they began arriving at the 15th Annual Statewide Black Saga Competition at Towson University.
Students, along with their families, teacher coordinators, principals and supporters continued steaming in until they had filled all 700 seats in Burdick Gymnasium. And while some remained standing in the back corner, the day started with welcome addresses from Dr. Christian, founder of the Competition, Mr. Victor Collins, Assistant Vice President for Student and Academic Diversity at Towson University, and Mr. Ted Mack, chairperson of the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture.
The preliminary rounds started about 9am with students answering questions in 12 rounds, focusing on early history, explorers, inventors, newspapers, sports, music, education, performing arts, millionaires, cities, science and landmarks. The diversity of questions underscores the nature of the African American experience—i.e., it is more than the four or five icons that are most frequently talked about.
Diversity has become one of the hallmarks of the Competition as just about every ethnic group in Maryland was represented on one or more of the school teams.
After two hours of questioning, the ten teams with the highest scores emerged from the Student Union and reconvened at Burdick Hall. They were then encouraged by their parents and teacher coordinators to do their best in the Championship Rounds. Dr. Christian, the moderator, began calling their schools that had advanced—Arnold (Anne Arundel County), West Towson (Baltimore County), Hillcrest (Baltimore County), Cedarmere (Baltimore County), Deep Run (Baltimore County), Hammond (Team 2) (Howard County), Ilchester (Howard County), Perrywood (Prince George’s County), Pinewood (Baltimore County), Forest Ridge (Howard County), and Hammond (Team 1) (Howard County). These were the Top Ten teams in Maryland that knew the most about the African American experience.
This was the Championship Round . . . and these young students knew it and they were ready. In a bellowing manner, Christian said, “This is the Elementary Championship Competition and this is Round 1. It is titled, ‘Remembering the Past.’” Each team reached for an envelope, a sheet of paper and their marker as instructed, and they pulled a photograph from an envelope. Christian read the question:
“This house in Dayton, Ohio was the home of an African American poet . . . He achieved considerable fame upon publication of his book, Lyrics of Lowly Life. Name him.
This question was designed to relax the teams . . . and it did because all teams received one point for their correct answer. The next round was not so easy, it was “U.S. History On the Road” and each team had a different question but it, too, contained photographs. Round 3 was about a U.S. Supreme Court Decision, and the other rounds included topics such as education, African American artist and their artwork, geography, elected officials, and words of wisdom. It was a tough competition and when Dr. Christian asked the audience about the toughness of the Competition, the audience stood and gave the Top Ten contestants a standing ovation.
Because making it to the Top Ten in the Championship Rounds is difficult, all of these teams are noteworthy winners and each team member receives a copy of Christian’s book (Black Saga), a certificate, and their names on a “Top Ten” School plaque that goes to the school. The fourth and fifth place teams received trophies in addition to Black Saga books, certificates and school plaques. Winners were Deep Run (5th) and Ilchester (4th). The top three teams receive Black Saga books, certificate, school plaques and cash prizes of $100, $200, and $300 respectively to 3rd, 2nd, and 1st places. The top three winners were Hammond Elementary, Team 1; Hammond Elementary, Team 2; and Forest Ridge Elementary Schools.
Congratulations to the teams that received Top Ten team status in the 15th Annual Black Saga Competition. In addition to a spirited Competition, all teams did a wonderful job and their high scores reflect their hard work. As Christian said, “These young people know more about the African American experience than 85 percent of the national adult population.”
The Middle School Black Saga Competition was equally exciting this year. Several teams were returning with the same team members, including the Champions last year from Severn River Middle.
It turned out to be great competition; all the teams were very prepared and capable of being this year’s champions. Among the teams winning Top Ten team honors were Deer Park (Team 1) and Deer Park (Team 2) (Baltimore County), Folly Quarter (Howard County), Severn River (Team 2), and Patuxent Valley (Team 1).
The top five teams were exceptionally good, with Sudbrook (Baltimore County) and Hammond (Howard County) occupying 4th and 5th places, respectively.
In the top three placements in the 15th Annual State Black Saga Competition is Bonnie Branch (Howard County) who clinched the tiebreaker from Subdbrook Middle Magnet (Baltimore County) to win third and fourth places, respectively. They won trophies, certificates, Black Saga books and each received $100.
The Championship was a battle between Ridgely (Baltimore County) and Severn River (Anne Arundel County). It came down to the last question as Severn River was hoping for a chance to tie and move ahead, but Ridgely stayed ahead from the very first question to rack up a perfect score of 12 possible points.
Both the Champions and the runner-up team were gracious. Dr. Christian acknowledged them as the teams that know the most about the African American experience in the State of Maryland. In addition to their certificates, books, plaques, and cash prizes of $300 and $200, respectively for first and second places, they had an opportunity to showcase some of their knowledge of the African American experience before Governor Martin O’Malley who honored all the Top Ten winners with his presence, his words of wisdom, a hand shake, and taking a photo with each team.
A hearty thank you was extended to all the participants, moms and dads, teacher coordinators and principals who helped students prepare for the Competition, including volunteers, Towson University, Coppin State University, and Governor Martin O’Malley who helped to make the 15th Annual Maryland State Black Saga Competition more than a success, but a memorable event that the winners will forever cherish.
#End#
___________________________________________________________
Contact:
Charles Christian, Ph.D.
Black Saga Competition
410-531-0173
blacksagacompetition@gmail.com
March 18, 2012
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor O’Malley Surprises Middle School Winners at 15th Annual State Black Saga Competition
March 18, 2012, Towson University—Middle School students, in the middle of Round 9 of the State Black Saga Competition entitled “Black Artists and their Artwork”, were not terribly shaken when a “man in black” walked stately from the doors in the back of Burdick Gymnasium and sat in the front row. While they were answering questions about artists and their artwork, they wondered who he was. But they were not distracted because there was no entourage of folks following him nor were there police and handlers guiding him where to sit.
When Round 9 was completed, and before Dr. Christian announced the winners, he turned to the “man in black”, acknowledged him as Maryland’s Governor Martin O’Malley, and asked him to come up to the podium and say a few words. At least one person did not catch the name of the “man in black” and asked Dr. Christian, who is this person? When Christian said Governor Martin O’Malley, the person was slightly surprised and uttered “Really!”
Somehow, the students on the stage, those Top Ten winners knew who it was because one of the rules in the Competition was to “listen closely”. They were completely shocked and excited that the Governor would take time out to come and see them participate.
A congratulatory speech from the Governor echoed how much they were contributing to the high educational standards and status of the great state of Maryland and the importance of the African American experience in American history. He then shook hands with each member of the Top Ten teams and posed with them in a photo as they received their awards.
One of the parents was overheard saying, “This has been a wonderful day. We won the Competition and the Governor was here to see it. Wow! What a day. This is something these children will never forget”.
With cameras flashing and clicking, the Governor, while rushing to another occasion, was stopped frequently as he left as students, volunteers, parents, and supporters stopped him to sign their Black Saga book, program, or just to thank him for coming.
After his departure, the buzz continued. The 15th Annual Maryland State Black Saga Competition will forever be a part of their history—the student, their parents and coordinators, and the supporters who participated in the Middle School Black Saga Competition.
#End#
_____________________________________________________
Contact:
Charles Christian, Ph.D.
Black Saga Competition
410-531-0173
blacksagacompetition@gmail.com
March 15, 2012
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maryland State Black Saga Competition 2012
Involves Outstanding Students . . .and Parent, Too!
(March 15, 2012—Baltimore County)—Call it a family affair at this year’s 15th Annual Maryland State Black Saga Competition on Saturday, March 17 at Towson State University, in the Burdick Gymnasium and Student Union. Hundreds of students, teachers, school administrators, parents, and others from around the state will converge on Towson’s campus at 8am to participate in the 15th Annual State Black Saga Competition.
The Competition, while still aimed at helping elementary and middle school students learn about the African American experience, has expanded beyond just students. Because these students have engaged their families in the study of American history, moms, dads, and siblings have learned, too, and now they will get a chance to showcase their knowledge of the African American experience in a companion competition. “Both the student and family Black Saga Competitions will be equally challenging, captivating, and exciting . . . and they will be going on at the same time.” says Dr. Charles Christian, founder and director of the Black Saga Competition.
Competing at Towson is the end of six-months of rigorous studying. Students and their parents have been quizzing each other on many aspects of the African American experience, but mostly about the significant accomplishments and contributions of African Americans in the development of this great nation.
Although the competition is geared mainly toward helping elementary and middle school learn a more inclusive American history, both students and family members have gained additional rewards from participating, aside from learning about this part of American history for the first time. Students have gained insights into teamwork, cultural awareness, academic excellence, life skills, and a “sense of family”. For parents, they have gotten a better sense of how to help their children compete and manage their time more wisely. Included among these intangibles are the payoffs in cash and other prizes for students and family members.
According to Dr. Christian, “It’s not about the money and prizes; it’s about the “competition” and “bragging rights”—to be the best. Walking away with money, prizes, and even trophies is secondary.”