During the competition, which was held June 3 to 5, Saint Anthony Catholic School students won three games against Wilson Hall Middle School, S.C.; Central Middle School, Okla.; and Belfry Middle School, Ky.
The team of 13 students had the choice of competing in either Chicago or New Orleans, but chose D.C. so that the students could have a tour of historical places such as the Arlington Cemetery, the Washington Monument and more, said teacher and coach Leilani Appleton.
According to Appleton, this is the second year in a row that the school had won three wins in the Nationals. However, a school should have at least four wins out of six games in order to qualify for finals.
“Although we didn’t make it to the finals, our kids, parents and administration are happy with the results,” said Appleton. “It was really a tough competition, but it was so much fun and [a] great experience, especially for the kids.”
Every year, some schools from both private and public middle schools on Guam participate in the GATE Program called Academic Challenge Bowl. The games are held in different schools in different months and usually end around April.
In order for a school to qualify to the nationals, the school has to be in the top 15 percent of all schools that competed. Saint Anthony Catholic School won second overall for the island.
