Students take home top prizes in 41st annual Black History Bee

San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) students from Jones, Muscoy, E. Neal Roberts and Thompson Elementary Schools, Paakuma’ K–8 School and Del Vallejo and Shandin Hills Middle Schools proved their knowledge of Black and African-American history and took the top prizes in the spelling bee-like event.

Student teams had to demonstrate their knowledge of Black and African-American history and culture, including local historical figures and either identify or recite stanzas from the works of famous African-American poets.

The winning teams were:

• Third- and Fourth-Grade Division

  • First Place: Kenia Sandoval and Solei’ Lockett, Jones Elementary School

  • Second Place: Tamel Belton and Ezekiel Corona, Muscoy Elementary School

  • Third Place: Jaceer Gray and Malachi Arlington, Thompson Elementary School

• Fifth- and Sixth-Grade Division

  • First Place: Javier Torres-Martinez and Kevin Ortiz-Ramirez, Jones Elementary School

  • Second Place: Ayden Martinez and Javon Wilson, Jones Elementary School

  • Third Place: Joi Avery and Faith Kemp-Stallworth, Roberts Elementary School

• Middle School Division

  • First Place: Winter Williams and Faith Manago, Paakuma’ K–8 School

  • Second Place: Liam Harris and Kaylee Bush, Paakuma’ K–8 School

  • Third Place: My Asia Boyd and Zha’raea Jackson, Del Vallejo and Shandin Hills Middle Schools