In matters pertaining to the Schools' Challenge Quiz, Kingston College has a rich and successful history, unmatched by any other secondary school in Jamaica.
That history stretches from the first year of the JBC Schools' Challenge Quiz Competition in 1969, when a team that included the much revered quiz whiz Geoff Madden, was edged out in the semi-final match by eventual winners St. Hugh's High School.
Seven Titles
Thirty seven years later, the history books will show that Kingston College has won the quiz competition more than any others, with seven titles: 1974, 1975, 1977, 1985, 1992, 1994 and 1996. The team has also been in the finals, semi-finals or quarter-finals of the competition on more occasions than any other school.
The KC successes are also notable for the fact that they have occurred in each full decade since the competition began, indicating a continuity and commitment to the quiz that supercedes others. For example, Wolmer's Boys, with six victories, is second to KC in overall success, but last saw victory in 1983. Munro is third among all comers, with five victories, while Ardenne, Glenmuir and Calabar have won the competition on four occasions.
Coaches
As was recently highlighted at the annual function of the KCOBA in New York, Frances Coke has been the foundation on which KC's quiz dominance is constructed. Mrs. Coke was the coach for the team throughout most of the decade of the 1970s, and has passed on the tradition of excellence to other coaches, including Old Boys Gervaise McLeod, the Scarletts, Ian Wilkinson, Stephen Vasciannie, Patrick Dallas, Valmore Stewart, Christopher Hare, the Beckfords, and several others.
On any given Saturday and on other days, you may well bump into familiar quiz faces at the training room in the Physics Lab. These stalwarts include: Kenyatta Powell, Jeffrey Foreman, Ricardo Loney, Rupert Beckford, and many others who have been stung by the quiz bug.
These, then, have been the secrets of KC's success in the quiz: the foundation laid by Frances Coke, bright and committed schoolboys, a loyal and substantial band of Old Boys that replenishes its ranks each year, strong support from some staff members (including former Principal Wally Johnson, Helen Douglas, and Juliet Wilson), financial support from Old Boys and friends, and, of course, the indomitable KC spirit.
by Stephen Vasciannie
Some 15 members of KC quiz team team have commenced summer training for the 2007 Schools' Challenge Quiz. Sub editor Basil Waite caught up with two of the coaches, KCOB Valmore Stewart & Jeffrey Foreman on Friday July 14 just as 9 members had taken a break to play basketball. School teacher Juliet Wilson will retain 3 members from the 2006 runnersup under her charge- Andre Williams,Dusea Hamritt and Rohan Lawrence. Other members of the coaching staff comprise KCOB Christopher Hare and Kenyatta Powell.
