Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 20, 1995 TAG: 9504210009
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LUCY LEE SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Cedell Allen, Nathan Janney and Nakeisha Alexander were finalists in the school's third annual Fourth-Grade Junior Jeopardy Contest.
Cedell and Nakeisha, who are cousins, said their studying together after school paid off when they made it through the semifinals. They agreed that the secret was being fast - fast enough to give the answer before the question is even finished.
``It's not that hard if you study,'' they said. ``But you can't just play around - you have to keep at it.''
The finalists from other fourth-grade classes were Chris Lowrance, Amanda Anderson and John O'Shaughnessey. Chris said he wasn't nervous about the finals, just excited. Amanda, who plans to be a writer when she finishes school, was pleased that her mom would be in the audience.
Junior Jeopardy was the brainchild of Evelyn Danner and a former colleague, Barbara Buehler. They were looking for an activity that would motivate the children to study more at home and also get parents involved.
They chose the game because it works for students of all ability levels. The questions they devised correspond to the colors of the three reading groups and are drawn from six content areas: social studies, math, English, spelling, science and reading.
At 9 a.m., all fourth-graders and their guests, the third- and fifth- graders, headed for the gym, where they were greeted by a group parents, grandparents, tutors and friends. Patrick Evans, host of WDBJ-Channel 7's ``Klassroom Kwiz,'' was this year's master of ceremonies.
Principal Gerald McDearmon wished everyone good luck. Fourth-grade teacher, Joyce Goodwin, reminded the audience, ``Don't whisper the answers if you know them!''
The six finalists divided into three competitions - each designated with a different color.
Chris and Nathan, battling each other in the red division, got off to a bad start by picking ``Science for 50.'' But, Chris's move to ``Social Studies for 30'' paid off when he picked " desert" as the answer for ``A large, very dry area of land.''
When neither contestant knew the answer to a math problem, Evans sympathized. ``It's been a long time since I did math without a calculator.''
Blue division competitors, Amanda and John, had a close race. They also had a little excitement when the huge category board fell off the wall, eliciting the loudest audience reaction of the day.
Cedell and Nakeisha, competing in the green division, started at the top ``Social Studies for 50'' - and ran the categories.
A good part of the motivation to win Junior Jeopardy comes from the grand prize: $100 for each winner. The other finalists receive $20 each, and the 24 semifinalists win educational games.
The money for the prizes and contest expenses was donated by Central Fidelity Bank and the Unitarian Universalist Church.
Central Fidelity has participated in a business/education partnership with Fallon Park for several years. Aside from co-sponsoring Junior Jeopardy, bank employees take students on field trips, provide special savings accounts and work with them in programs such as Junior Achievement and the science fair.
The Unitarian Universalist Church also provides more than just financial support. Members of its Social Action Committee tutor the students, some twice a week.
After the judges tallied up the scores, Chris, Amanda, and Cedell were presented with crisp $100 bills. Cedell's ``I feel great!'' summed up the reaction of all three winners.
It was a proud moment for parents, too. Chris said his mom planned to frame his certificate. Amanda was getting lots of hugs from her mom; and Cedell declared, ``I'm gonna buy my mom an Easter outfit!''
by CNB