Fort Valley State University Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Team Advances to National Championship Tournament

Fort Valley State University Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Team Advances to National Championship Tournament

by Michelle Clarington

Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) Team has earned a coveted spot in the National Championship Tournament, which will be held April 11-14, 2026, in Los Angeles, California!

Sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and College Bowl, Inc., HCASC is a prestigious national academic quiz bowl competition for students from HBCUs. Established in 1989, HCASC brings together top scholars from across the country to compete in head-to-head matches that test knowledge in science, history, literature, religion, the arts, social sciences and pop culture. The competition emphasizes teamwork, leadership, strategy and quick recall under pressure.

FVSU's HCASC team earned its place at the National Championship Tournament after competing at the National Qualifying Tournament hosted by Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 21, 2026. This was one of six national qualifying tournament sites held across the country February 21-22, 2026. A total of 52 teams competed across all six locations, and 32 teams (known as the Thrilling 32) qualified to advance to the National Championship Tournament.

The National Championship Tournament week will feature intense competition among the nation's top HBCU teams, as well as valuable networking opportunities, engaging activities and special events planned and sponsored by HCASC, Honda and College Bowl. The experience provides scholars not only with the opportunity to compete at the highest level, but also to connect with peers from across the country and participate in memorable, fully supported championship week events.

The traveling team members representing FVSU are:

William Barnes, Freshman, Political Science, Macon, Georgia

Kiara Freeman, Junior, Psychology, Decatur, Georgia

Sydney Jackson, Senior, Elementary Education/Special Education, Ellenwood, Georgia

Marcus Jarra, Junior, Biology, Atlanta, Georgia

They will be accompanied by Michelle Clarington, J.D., HCASC Team Coach and Emma Bennett-Williams, Esq., HCASC Campus Coordinator.

Advancing to the national championship reflects a collective team effort, and every member played an important role in this success. FVSU HCASC also recognizes their additional team members whose dedication, preparation and commitment throughout the season contributed to this remarkable achievement:

Daniellange Auguste, Senior, Computer Science

Willoughby Caine, Senior, Computer Science and Mathematics

Jaliah Drake-Jackson, Junior, Computer Science

Aryana Solomon, Sophomore, Biology

Laila Harris-Smith, Senior, Plant Science

Te'Nille Wade, Sophomore, Psychology

For those who would like to support FVSU HCASC or for students interested in joining this tradition of academic excellence, please contact Ms. Clarington or Mrs. Bennett-Williams for more information. For more information on HCASC visit https://www.hcasc.com/.

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