By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE five-member Garapan Elementary School team finished first in the 12th Annual Academic Bee Challenge on Saturday at the multi-purpose center in Susupe.
Sponsored by Marianas High School’s National Honor Society, the event drew the participation of 49 students from 10 public and private schools.
GES principal Yvonne Gomez said it was the first time that their school has won the highest honor in the competition.
GES finished second last year.
“This is definitely very satisfying and rewarding,” she said. “We want to thank our coaches because they put in the time for the kids who gave their best effort. It’s a plaque for the Mallards and it’s a team effort so we are very happy and proud of this achievement,” Gomez said.
She noted, however, that this year’s contest did not include current issues questions and mostly focused on English, science, social studies, geography, language arts and reading.
According to Randy Maderal, one of the six coaches, they prepared “a bit late” for the competition.
“We usually begin the preparation in November, but this year we started in late January so we’re very happy that we still got it. We’re very proud of our team,” he said.
The school’s five-member team is composed of Audrey Ada, Lakshmi Borja, Marjorie Cuerdo, Alexis De Vera and Jesse Santos.
“We didn’t expect to win,” De Vera said, “but we’re very happy that we made it to the top…thanks to our principal, coaches, and parents for supporting us all the way.”
The MHS National Honor Society’s Miles F. Rodriguez said this year saw the biggest participation in the history of the competition.
“Every year the number of schools participating in the Academic Bee Challenge increases and we’re very happy that we have now 10 schools participating,” she said.
“This is a great way for elementary schools to get together. Although they are competing with each other, it’s also about bringing the whole community together in one event,” Rodriguez said.
Finishing second was the Saipan Grace Christian Academy team composed of Richard Aldan, Kahra Atalig, Suk Koo Kim, Angela Mamaril and Katrina Punzalan.
Third place went to Calvary Christian Academy students Karen Christine Alamer, Emily Dotts, Melody Johnson, Kristine Leynes and Athena Palijo.
The other participating schools were Dandan Elementary, Kagman Elementary, Rota-GCA, Oleai Elementary, San Vicente Elementary, Sinapalo Elementary on Rota, and William S. Reyes Elementary.