Big gifts for Titchfield’s Schools’ Challenge Quiz winners

Tributes and gifts rained on members of the winning 2025 TVJ Schools’ Challenge Quiz team, Titchfield High School, along with their coaches, during a hyped-up ceremony on Monday at the Portland-located institution.

It was Daryl Vaz, minister with responsibility for science, energy, telecommunications and transport , as well as member of parliament (MP) for West Portland, who started the announcement as it relates to the gifts.

In a short presentation, Vaz, who told the gathering of students, teachers, and well-wishers that the occasion in not about politics, but rather about the remarkable success of the Schools’ Challenge Quiz team, outlined some of the immediate benefits for the quiz team, coaches, and immediate family members.

“It is very clear that nothing is impossible. The feat of Titchfield winning for a second time against JC (Jamaica College) last week was absolutely spectacular,” commented Vaz.

“Between MP Ann-Marie Vaz and myself, we have come up with a menu of items and offering in celebration of this momentous occasion. I will pledge a weekend for the coaches, the team members, and their families at Beaches Boscobel, which is very close by. And that is limited to immediate family…father, mother, brother, sister, and granny. No cousins,” he added.

Additionally, Vaz outlined that a day has been planned for the team members and coaches to go to Moon Palace Hotel for a day to relax and unwind, and also to reflect on their success. But while Vaz showered gifts on members of the Schools’ Challenge Quiz team, he also made other offers to the student population. “Each coach and each member of the team will get a laptop from me as minister of technology. This is about working hard and getting the just rewards for your achievement. Additionally, the best performing girl and boy in each form will get a laptop. And the second best performing girl or boy in each form will get a tablet,” he concluded.

Meanwhile East Portland MP Ann-Marie Vaz donated $400,000 to each member of the winning Schools’ Challenge Quiz team, along with $2.5 million towards providing a sustainable agriculture project in chicken rearing (broilers) at the school.

“Through the Action Ann Foundation, we will be donating $2.5 million to expand the capacity to 1,200,” the East Portland MP said.

“Caribbean Broilers will be providing the expertise, so that it will be done properly. And it will also have a slaughterhouse and a cooling facility for the chickens. And this is what we mean by sustainability. This project expansion will provide food and skills training for our students. Also today, I am donating $100,000 towards the student council for their water cooler project. All these projects are geared towards ensuring your physical welfare,” she added.

Also at Monday’s function, Mayor of Port Antonio Paul Thompson handed over a cheque for $500,000 as part of the Portland Municipal Corporation’s donation towards members of the Schools’ Challenge Quiz team and their coaches.

In the meantime, Isat Buchanan, the People’s National Party’s prospective candidate for East Portland, donated 12 tablets to the school’s netball team and $100,000 to assist with food during their travel overseas on Wednesday.

“I am also donating 25 tablets to the institution right now. I am saying to all the students, I encourage you to participate in extracurricular activities,” said Buchanan.

“I want to congratulate the member of parliament and the minister for taking an interest in the future of the next generation. Principal and acting principal, I am sure you’re overwhelmed by the awesome gifts that the school is now getting. Well, as promised, I am also here to bear gifts,” he added.

editorial@gleanerjm.com