BEACHES Ocho Rios recently treated the Schools’ Challenge Quiz team from Calabar High School and their coaches to a day filled with fun and excitement in recognition of their feat as the 2022 runners-up of the TVJ (Television Jamaica) Schools’ Challenge Quiz competition.

The team used the day as a relaxation time prior to the start of the new season, and on Monday opened the 2023 season with a crushing 50 to 2 victory over Manchester-based Bellefield High School.

Beaches Ocho Rios Manager John Miles, in welcoming the boys from Red Hills Road, said, “As a resort, we believe in championing educational advancement and opportunities, and it was our pleasure to lend support for the competition with the provision of prizes. We are pleased to welcome our Schools’ Challenge Quiz runners-up and their coaches as we share the many amenities of our resort with them as a reward for their hard work. We remain excited to encourage future participants to work just as hard.”

As the saying goes, “To the victors belong the spoils,” and the Calabar team reaped the fruits of their hard work courtesy of a day pass at the luxury-included Beaches Ocho Rios.

For Kemoy Lindsay, coach of the team, the trip was well received.

“Wow…this is a beautiful place. The team members here are kind and accommodating and they made us feel extremely welcomed. The waterpark was the most ideal place for us to start and it was so much fun. The activities that we enjoyed included exploring and having fun at the Pirates Island. This opportunity will definitely help us in being prepared mentally and physically to start the new season, as the team is able to recalibrate and get our minds prepared to go one better for this season.”

“The food was great. We had the chance to dine at many of the restaurants and the variety was awesome. Pirates Island Water Park with slides and [the] X-Box room alone can finish the day if we had not gone to the beach to do any watersports, or other restaurants, or participate in any of the fun activities that were organised,” said Lindsay

Matthew Aiken, captain of the team and head boy of the institution, was also impressed.

“While being second in the competition was a disappointment for us as a team, we have challenged ourselves to be better this coming season. As a team, being here at Beaches Ocho Rios is one of the best perks that we were able to celebrate. The food, the beach, the pool and the other amenities have been great.

“The staff here have been professional and the service that we have received is exceptional, especially the entertainment team as they got us involved in the fun activities throughout the day. This is a great motivation as these boys will now see that whenever they work hard academically, these perks will be forthcoming, and we hope to be back soon,” said Aiken.

While pointing to the Calabar motto, “The Utmost for the Highest”, Aiken expressed confidence in his team’s ability to go one better in this season’s TVJ School’s Challenge Quiz.

“This opportunity here at Beaches Ocho Rios came at the most opportune time as we can bond as a team outside of an academic setting and be rejuvenated. The entire team has been waiting for this celebration and I am happy that we are able to enjoy this treat from this world-class resort,” said Aiken.

The team of six players and two coaches, while enjoying the day of fun and activities, were anticipating the start of the new season. This break was one that they had been loking forward to for months, and to have a chance to enjoy it augurs well for their mind and bodies.

“I’m looking forward to taking my family here very soon as the activities here are suitable for families and groups. I’m certain that the boys are more prepared than ever to face the upcoming challenges ahead of the new season.

“The food here is scrumptious and the service from every team member is special. Being here for just one day is not sufficient to explore the many activities. Also, the team at the Sandals and Beaches corporate office are very professional and they have been patient in guiding us through the process of being prepared to have fun here today,” said Assistant Coach Demar Barnett.