SCHOOL CELEBRATES AS CASH, PLEDGES ADDED TO SCQ BOUNTY
PT ANTONIO, Portland; April 15, 2025
The victorious Titchfield Schools’ Challenge Quiz (SCQ) team was given more prizes and secured additional pledges for themselves as well as for their school in a celebratory function at the institution, Port Antonio, Portland, Monday, April 14, 2025
Cash and the value of other gifts pledged amounted to more than $5 million.
( WINNERS: From left, Alex Anderson (Captain), Romaine Smith, Quaine Smith, Orlando Lee, Robert Chase with trophy, Coach, Kimone Vassell, Coach, Natalia Godfrey, Mental Coach, and Alpha Sparkes, Coach)
That’s in addition to the prizes won, including scholarships and cash, from the sponsors of the TVJ SCQ, for topping the competition.
Led by captain Alex Anderson and supported by teammates Romaine Smith, Orlando Lee, and Quaine Smith, the team, coached by Alpha Sparkes and Chase Roberts, delivered a stellar performance to beat Jamaica College 26-23, for their second hold on the title.
The team was the toast of the town as they paraded in a march led by the school’s cadets and Port Antonio Marching Band.
Pledges made on the day came from Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport and Member of Parliament for West Portland Daryl Vaz, in both those capacities; MP for East Portland Ann Marie Vaz; PNP East Portland Constituency candidate Isat Buchanan. Mayor of Port Antonio Paul Thompson handed over $500,000 pledged earlier for the team and coaches.
(Celebrations including beating pot cover, at school)
Mr Vaz pledged one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to the team. Other prizes he pledged included a weekend for the coaches, team members, and their immediate families at Beaches Boscobel, St. Mary. In addition, a day pass to Moon Palace Hotel in Ocho Rios, St Ann, was to be given to the team and the coaches.
He said as Minister of Technology he will give each coach and each member of the team a laptop computer.
Also, he offered to the school community: “The best-performing girl and boy in each form will get a laptop computer, and the second best-performing boy or girl will get a tablet.”
(Through Port Antonio)
Ann Marie Vaz said “The greatness of Titchfield is celebrated not only here but abroad and far and wide. Today we will be donating four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) to the four students of the quiz team.
She said through the Action Ann Foundation she was donating $2.5 million to double the capacity of the school’s chicken project from 600 to 1,200 birds. The chicken project is an important part of the school’s nutrition progamme for several of its teams and students, and provides hands-on learning for Agricultural Science students. .
AT THE CEREMONY: from 2nd left: Isat Buchanan – PNP East Portland Rep; Faye Neufville, Chairman of Titchfield School Board; West Portland MP and Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport Daryal Vaz; Mayor of Port Antonio Councillor Paul Thompson, East Portland MP Ann Marie Vaz and Acting CEO Portland Municipal Corporation Jumaane Robinson
Also, she donated one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to the student council for a project they were doing..
The Portland Municipal Corporation donated five hundred thousand dollars to the team. This was handed over by the Mayor Councillor Paul Thompson, and the acting CEO, Jumaane Robinson.
PNP Caretaker Candidate Isat Buchanan said that in recognition of the Quiz team’s outstanding contribution, he will open personal investment accounts for each member of the team, offering financial support to aid their long-term development and success. He has also pledged a donation of J$750,000 worth of tablets to the institution to support continued academic excellence.
“I am donating twenty-five tablets to the institution. I implore you, students, to be involved in extracurricular activities that will teach you values. That is the reason why I can stand here and speak to you as an attorney at law,” he said.
Students and staff, led by Principal Richard Thomson (who is on leave) and acting Principal Sheryl Horne-Mair were in a jubilant mood and full of appreciation for the team.
See video of the Titchfield celebratory action on the Frankly Speaking Jamaica YouTube channel
