Do you know what the smallest country in the world is?  Did you know that two plus two times three equals eight?  Are you familiar with the composer of Moonlight Sonata and Ode to Joy?  The answers to these questions were given by the high school student representatives at Mount Carmel School’s second annual Jeopardy tournament that took place this morning, Friday, February 22, 2008 at the Joeten Dai-Dai Social Hall.

Seniors eagerly watch on as their team racks up the points.

Four student representatives from each high school class competed for the prize of a video day in the faculty lounge.  However, because the air in the Social Hall was filled with such desire to win, the real prize was the bragging rights that came along with winning.

As the competition started off the Seniors scored the first 100 points.  Continuing in that fashion each grade level scored points to further themselves toward the prize.  One question that sent three out of four competitors off the ranks was under the arithmetic category: “One plus two plus three minus four equals.”  The incorrect answers given were: -4, 0, and -2.  [For those that are still a bit lost, the answer is 2. à 1 + 2 + 3 – 4 =2]

At the end of the first round the Senior class led at 4500 and the Freshmen class lagged at -300 points awarding them the first pick in the second round.  The second round seemed to liven the students to get the bragging rights.  The rule of phrasing the answer in the form of a  question, such as “Who is...” or “What is...” cost the Sophomore class 300 points in that round.  But they redeemed themselves by pulling into second place behind the Seniors at 3500, possibly allowing them to outsmart the Seniors and win.  At the end of the second round the scores were: Freshmen at 1000 points, Sophomores with 3500 points, Juniors having 100 points, and the Seniors dominating with 6900 points.

It was make or break time and the Final Jeopardy topic was Knights.  Two out of the four classes named the 1966 graduate that sent all 6 of his children to Mount Carmel School correctly.  With the opportunity to create a great upset, the sophomore class answered Judge Robert Naraja.  However, the correct answer was Former Lt. Governor Jesse Borja.  Thus the Senior Class of 2008 claimed the title of Jeopardy Winners and will have a video day to be scheduled at a later date.

The representatives for each class is as follows:
For the Freshmen class – Kevin Bautista, Savanna Manglona, Maria Balajadia, and Dustin Pangelinan.  For the Sophomore class was – Ryan Ortizo, Hazel Doctor, Armalene Cabreros, and Mark Sonoda.  The Junior class representatives were – Noelle Calvo, Min Joo Jung, Victoria Bellas, and Robert DeBrum.  And for the Class of 2008,  the Seniors – John Babauta, Kristian Aquino, Erlyn Dalan, ans Ruby Venus.