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April 18, 2019

It’s celebration time!

Our stellar spring semester is shining even brighter. Congratulations to Spelman scholars Ariana Benson, C’2019, Jessika Agyepong, C’2020; Maati McKinney and Naomi Steplight, both C’2021; and their fearless coach Dan Bascelli, coordinator of instructional technologies, for bringing a major national championship home to Spelman. Their heroic, first-place victory at the 30th Annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, America’s premier HBCU academic competition, makes the win a first for the College. Oh, how proud I am of them. Please join me in celebrating their hard work, talent and persistence.

Captained by Marshall Scholar winner, Ariana, the team’s victory was no small feat. They demonstrated their academic prowess and fierce courage by besting 48 HBCUs who were vying for the coveted title. On April 17, 2019, in front of a packed studio audience of top scholars, school presidents, HCASC alumni and Honda associates, our team bested Florida A&M University in a two-game sweep. Their proficiency in answering tough questions about history, science, literature, religion, the arts and pop culture, earned them the championship title and a $75,000 institutional grant.

To make the victory even sweeter, Ariana received this year's Ernest C. Jones Sportsperson Award. Named for one of HCASC's early volunteers who mentored students, the award recognizes a student who epitomizes team spirit, camaraderie, good sportsmanship and academic focus during the National Championship Tournament. But that’s not all. Dan, who has coached the team for 17 years, was named HCASC Coach of the Year, and I think he said it best when he told the world:

"Winning itself isn't the only reward. It's about bringing these students together and watching them represent their school in the best possible way. The spirit at Spelman is really strong. If you talk to the students, the feeling for Spelman, the feeling for HCBCUs and the support that Honda gives them is all a part of the pride that they feel."

Again, the Spelman College community commends you and celebrates you!

Well done, Team Spelman.
    Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D.

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