ShawU Students Showcasing Range on National Stage
RALEIGH — The work paid off.
Shaw University is one of 32 teams in the title chase for the 35th Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) National Championship April 11-12 on the corporate campus of American Honda in Torrance, California. Think quiz bowl among teams of four from historically Black colleges and universities with an opportunity to get in on more than $500,000 in institutional grants from Honda. It’ll be streamed live at www.hcasc.com.
The team from Shaw University is coached by Dr. Paul-Arthur Pierre-Louis. He directs the Shaw University Honors Program. The four scholars Pierre-Louis will guide during HCASC are Mariah Joi Williams, a senior biology and pre-med major from Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Matthew Carby, a junior computer-science major from Port Antonio, Jamaica; Ty’ana Ivory, a senior psychology major from Statesville; and Karlice Jayanna Williams, a freshman biology major from Manchester, Jamaica.
The coach likes his team’s chances.
“We’ve been practicing since the start of the school year,” Pierre-Louis said. “We train by playing old and new games. We also focus on categories we’re not too familiar with.”
Shaw University earned a shot at the title after qualifying during a HCASC tournament in February. The team has scrimmaged N.C. Central, N.C. A&T and Elizabeth City State universities.
During the pandemic when HCASC was virtual, Shaw University made it to the round of 16.
HCASC is a year-round program showcasing the sharpest minds at HBCUs demonstrating their range in subject areas including history, science, math and pop culture.
“Honda is proud of our longstanding commitment to supporting and inspiring the next generation of leaders by providing HBCU students with the tools and experiences they need to live their dreams,” said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion & Diversity at American Honda Motor Co. Inc.
HCASC affords participating students with networking opportunities and exposure to seminars developed to further their preparedness for life after college.
