THE AUDIENCE fidgeted restlessly, waiting for the showdown to begin. Some family members, others officials, others well-wishers; all sat in tense anticipation of the 2009 final of TVJ's Junior Schools' Challenge Quiz competition.
Just like last year, the two opposing schools - St Richard's Primary and Windward Road Primary - assumed their places on stage. The former with the hope that this would be its year to grasp the trophy; the latter hoping to renew its hold on it.
In the end, it was Windward Road who would celebrate - not for the second or the third, but for the fourth time in a row.
So proud
When quiz master Archibald Gordon declared the match ended, the scoreboard read 36-22. The team from east Kingston - Renée McDermott, Densley Williams, Kabrina Martin and Genelle McLean - had given their school its fourth win in the seven-year-old quiz show.
"When they win it's like self-actualisation, and you feel proud of them, " said Maureen Rawlins, one of the coaches who has been with the team since 2005 when they placed third on their first attempt.
Fellow coach, Camecia Vassell, said their constant success took "a lot of dedication", something captain Renée could attest to. The 12-year-old Campion College hopeful spoke eloquently of her team's win and the preparation which led up to that point.
As captain, she said, "I have to get the team together, ask questions during practice and make sure they cooperate."
Densley is the only boy on the team, but that's not his only distinction. The diminutive 11-year-old had to stand on a box in order to comfortably access the team podium. But that was no deterrent for the future athlete who seemed the most enthusiastic player there. His infectious spirit tugged at the hearts of most audience members and pretty soon he was the darling of the lot.
In a reflective mood
Densley's every move became the object of focus as the Windward Road crowd celebrated.
But as they were jubilant in victory, St Richard's were reflective in defeat. Imogene Cummings, a coach from the Red Hills Road institution, gave her thoughts on the outcome of the match.
"We were expecting to win," said Cummings, but she attempted in no way to steal Windward Road's thunder.
"I guess the better team won and we congratulate them on their fourth success."
Cummings suggested that her team's slow response in the buzzer section may have cost them the title.
In fact, St Richard's, who had trailed by only two points going into that final round, saw that margin significantly widen as their opponents seemed to run rings around them with the buzzer.
The evening ended with the presentation of prizes, which included $30,000 scholarships and mini-trophies, to the winners and runners-up as well as third-place Corinaldi Avenue Primary out of Montego Bay and fourth-place Black River Primary from St Elizabeth.
The 2009 TVJ Junior Schools' Challenge Quiz was contested by 64 schools from primary and preparatory schools across Jamaica and was sponsored by NCB Insurance Omni Educator and Holiday Snacks.