A competition of minds: UDC advances to the ‘Elite 8’ round in Honda Campus All-Star Challenge
A competition of minds: UDC advances to the ‘Elite 8’ round in Honda Campus All-Star Challenge
A team of UDC scholars is one step closer to achieving an important goal. Having advanced from the preliminary rounds, UDC was among 16 teams that competed in the March 20 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) National Championship Tournament. Due to their win, they will now advance as one of eight teams – the “Elite 8” – to the playoffs slated for April 10-12, where they will vie for a $75,000 institutional grant for the top prize from Honda.
HCASC is America’s premier academic competition among HBCUs, bringing together more than 300 HBCU students, coaches, presidents and institutional representatives annually for a tournament that uniquely combines educational and personal development experiences beyond the classroom. This is the 29th year UDC has participated in HCASC 33 years of existence.
The team consists of four scholars; Demario Asquitt, a senior majoring in computer science from Port Antonio, Jamaica; Bailey Garfield, a junior majoring in electrical engineering and math from Salem, OR; Breanna M. Champion, a senior majoring in psychology from Chicago, IL and Spencer Reynolds, a senior majoring in English from Lacrosse, TN are representing UDC. Andreas Levar Smith is the team coach.
“Our team has done an outstanding job. Their win is a notable example of how the University prepares its students for success,” said UDC President Ronald Mason Jr. “The entire school is rooting for them. We wish them lots of success in the next round.”
One of the team scholars, Garfield, is thrilled to be representing the University while adding to his knowledge.
“Being a STEM student, I tend to focus on specific kinds of thinking and information but competing in this challenge has made me think about all kinds of topics and details,” he said. “I have learned so much, and it’s an exhilarating experience.”
Garfield, a second-generation UDC student, credits the school with giving him the self-confidence to compete.
“I love this university and have had remarkable success here,” he said. “UDC has given me the self-assurance to try new things and branch out. A big part of success in the quiz bowl is being confident in your knowledge and answers. The UDC community has been incredibly supportive, and the faculty has encouraged me, which lends itself to success in the quiz bowl.”
Coach Smith feels honored to be a part of this excellent HBCU tradition hosted by Honda and believes that unwavering support from UDC has sustained their success and kept the team empowered to achieve.
“These students represent just a fraction of the immense talent, dedication and intellectual drive abundant at our university,” he said. “The team is excited to travel the path ahead.”
HCASC is a year-round program celebrating Black excellence and showcasing the academic talents of top HBCU students from across the country. Four-student teams face off in head-to-head competition and must quickly answer questions about history, science, literature, religion, math, the arts, pop culture and sports. HCASC challenges students to expand their scope of knowledge on a wide range of topics while also helping to develop their leadership and collaboration skills. With the opportunity to compete against students from other HBCUs, participants build camaraderie, gain mentorship opportunities with HCASC alumni and make lifelong friends. Beyond the competition, Honda gives development seminars to increase career readiness and student empowerment. Students learn interview tips, resume writing best practices and ways to prepare for post-graduation success.
This year, Honda will provide nearly $400,000 in institutional grants to the participating HBCUs, with many of the schools using the grants to fund student scholarships. More than 145,000 scholars have competed in HCASC since the academic tournament was established in 1989.
2022 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Team with Dr. Latham, chief student development and success officer
