After participating in a National Qualifying Tournament, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania will compete against fellow Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) at the 29th annual Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge (HCASC) National Championship Tournament (April 7-11, 2018).
Teams from 48 HBCUs will go head‐to‐head in the National Championship of America’s premier academic quiz bowl for top HBCU students on the American Honda Motor Co., Inc. campus in Torrance, California. Cheyney has the opportunity to win the HCASC top prize ‐ a $75,000 institutional grant from Honda.
Cheyney will be represented by Team Captain, Meghan Sowersby, (a sophomore majoring in Communications from Glenolden, PA), Jesse Lucas, (a senior majoring in Social Relations from Richmond, VA), Stephen Adasonla, Jr., (a sophomore majoring in Biology from Lebanon, PA), and Kei Kebreau, (a sophomore majoring in Computer Science & Math from Queens, NY). Keystone Honors Academy Director Nicole Rayfield rounds off the team as the HCASC coach.
“I’m so pleased that Cheyney’s team will again participate in the national competition for the Honda Campus All Star Challenge! This academic competition incorporates material across all disciplines, and student participation requires an expansive breadth and depth of knowledge,” said University Provost Dr. Tara Kent. “Cheyney’s placement indicates the strength of both our students and our academic programs. Three years ago, Cheyney placed second in the national competition, and it’s exciting to see this consistency in the abilities of our students.”
Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge is a year‐round program that includes campus engagement, intramural play, qualifying tournaments and culminates with the National Championship. The fast‐paced competition highlights students’ academic prowess and ability to answer questions about history, science, literature, and pop culture. As a result, students expand their scope of knowledge, learn teamwork and sportsmanship and develop a bond with their fellow competitors. HCASC’s active alumni group also supports students with networking and mentorship opportunities post‐graduation.
“I am so excited to work with this extraordinary group of scholars. The range of their knowledge about such a large swath of topics and subject matters is astounding. The team has been committed to practicing on a daily basis and expanding their knowledge of some of the subjects that they have a bit less familiarity with. I am confident that it will pay off in LA,” said Rayfield.“Honda congratulates Cheyney University‐Pennsylvania for advancing to the ‘Great 48,’ a group that represents some of the brightest HBCU students across the country,” said Steve Morikawa, Vice President, Corporate Relations and Social Responsibility, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Beyond the impressive academic competition, Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge has fostered a network of ‘friends for life’ that champions students as they pursue their professional dreams. We look forward to hosting an exciting HCASC National Championship Tournament in April.”
The 2018 HCASC finals will be live‐streamed on Tuesday, April 10 starting at 12:00 p.m. at HCASC.com. For more information on HCASC, visit www.hcasc.com.