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 during the 41st Annual Black History Bee on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Indian Springs High School.

During the Black History Bee, teams of two students competed in a spelling bee-like event, with each team demonstrating their knowledge of Black and African-American history and culture, including local historical figures.

During select rounds, students were also asked to 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

For 41 years, the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. (NSPDK), Delta Rho Chapter sponsored the Black History Bee for SBCUSD elementary and middle school students. SBCUSD’s Department of Equity & Targeted Student Achievement (ETSA) was proud to partner with Delta Rho Chapter for the first time for their 41st Black History Bee.

“We are grateful to the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Delta Rho Chapter and to the individual ladies of the organization for keeping the Bee going in San Bernardino,” said ETSA Director Dr. Wil Greer. “Over the past 41 years, they have educated generations of students on the richness of Black History. We are proud to sponsor and partner with them in this very important endeavor.”

For information on the services and support offered by ETSA,

visit https://www.sbcusd.com/departments/educational-services-division and select Equity & Targeted Student Achievement from the list at the left.

For more information about Delta Rho Chapter, visit https://sites.google.com/view/nspdkdeltarho/home.