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accentuates the positive contributions of individuals — both past and present — that are crucial in demonstrating to students that anything is possible. Next year, Collins hopes to double the hun- dreds of entries they received.
“It gives a chance to look back on his- tory itself,” Collins confirmed. “It’s an opportunity for [students] to express concerns or feelings about individuals and their history. It gives a potential, positive outlook for them.”
Flexing brain power was on the agen- da in the Third District.
Those who packed the house at the South Shore Cultural Center on Feb. 20 anxiously held their collective breath as the final trivia question was read. With a quiet yet powerful confidence, a student from Park Manor Elementary School re- cited the correct answer to thunderous applause and the awarding of $500 to each of the five teammates on the stage.
The Third District’s fourth annual Know Your Heritage Trivia Bowl gar- nered the support of students and com- munity members in honor of Black His- tory Month.
This year, seven teams from seven dif- ferent schools in 001, 003 and 006 sent student representatives to compete. The
Roderique McClain, a CAPS officer in 007, hosted the district’s movie night, where 50 seniors watched “Harriet” and participated in a discussion following a viewing about the meaning of Black History Month.
competing students — five on each team
— were given two full packets of ques- tions regarding black history to study.
“As we have been putting on this event, it has truly grown,” shared Third District Youth Liaison Officer Delbert Howell, who has been facilitating the event since it started in 2016. “We want to reward all the students that participate, because they work so hard to study for this event. It ends up helping them in the long run to retain that information.”
The winning team receives a total of $500, which is split among the five stu- dent teammates at $100 each. Howell re- lies on community donations in order to make the event memorable for students.
Beyond the money, Howell under- stands the lasting impact of this type of event. As an African-American officer
himself, he feels a responsibility to teach students the importance of honoring their heritage.
“The pride and the knowledge that you learn from the information that’s within the study guides is powerful in itself,” he emoted. “It just gives you the pride and gives you an example to show that we care enough that we’re willing to reward you for learning that information.”
Howell hopes that even more schools will participate in next year’s event. He knows that students who are proud of their roots is a takeaway far beyond what any trivia bowl could offer.
“We care about our heritage,” Howell affirmed. “In order to know where you’re going, you have to know where you came from.”
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32 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MARCH 2020