Competitors show off black history savvy

Standing in front of a group of young competitors, Norma Griffin began asking questions about black history.

She wanted to know things such as who invented the pencil sharpener, who was the first black Georgia senator after Reconstruction and when is The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.

For most of her questions Saturday, she received an answer quickly after the sound of a quiz machine buzzer.

"We started this because I think children need to know the contributions that African Americans have made to this country," Griffin said, referring to Saturday's second annual Black History Bowl at Grovetown Elementary School. "I think it will give them more of a sense of pride in who they are and what they can accomplish."

The event involved Grovetown and Evans children competing in 9-12 and 13-18 age categories. Griffin, an organizer of the event, said turnout grew from 12 participants last year to 22 this year.

"So, there is an increase as the word gets out," she said.

Saturday's competition involved teams of children standing on opposite sides of a table pressing hand-held buzzer controllers after being asked questions. Participants were able to study the questions beforehand. Winning teams won savings bonds.

Griffin thanked Joan Moore, Grovetown Elementary's principal, for providing a site for the event, and Carolyn Fries for providing quiz machines.

"My goal next year is to try to get each school in Columbia County to provide a team," she said.

Those on winning teams Saturday were: for the 9-12 age category - Earl J. Griffin Jr., Lionel Merriweather, Walker Watson and Alicia Umlauf; for the 13-18 age category - Alexzandra Golovan and Din Griffin.