MEMPHIS, TN (MSCS) – It’s almost time for TCAP, and Dunbar Elementary School is doing everything possible to have its students more than ready to succeed on their tests. The school hosted the “1st Annual TCAP Knowledge Bowl,” where students from three schools in the Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) district came together to showcase their academic skills in a fun and competitive setting. (There was a fourth school that could not participate due to an emergency the day of the knowledge bowl.) 

“I wanted to create an exciting and competitive way to help students prepare for the TCAP while fostering teamwork and academic confidence,” said Dunbar Elementary’s Principal Lawanda Shaw. “The ‘Knowledge Bowl’ not only reinforces learning but also builds school spirit and encourages scholars to take pride in their education,” she added.

According to Principal Shaw, participants answered questions across all subjects, demonstrating their hard work and preparation for the TCAP assessments. Moreover, the teachers and principals were more excited than the students, and “the enthusiasm around the event” showed them how valuable it is, so they plan to make it an annual competition.  

Fox 13 News reporter Jeremy Pierre served as host of the competition, while members of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., served as judges. All of them provided the prizes for the winning teams as well.

The big winners of the day were Alcy, Dunbar, and Hawkins Mill elementary schools:

• 1st place – Alcy Elementary School 
• 2nd place – Dunbar Elementary School
• 3rd place – Hawkins Mill Elementary School

“Engaging students of all ages and their parents in educational events like the ‘TCAP Knowledge Bowl’ fosters a culture of learning, collaboration, and academic excellence. When families and schools work together, students are more motivated to achieve, and the entire community benefits from a shared commitment to education,” said Principal Shaw. 

Congratulations to Principal Shaw for having the initiative of creating a competition like this in order to help students improve academically while having fun and developing their teamwork and leadership skills.