Gidonna wins SSBQ 2017 distinguished graduate award

Gidonna Layne is the winner of the 2017 distinguished graduate award of the Secondary School Bible Quiz (SSBQ).

On Tuesday, at a ceremony at SEARCHLIGHT, Gidonna received $1,000 and a plaque, compliments Jehann Jack and Right Stuff respectively, for having more than 10 entries in the SSBQ over the last five years, and of those students, the best results in the 2017 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

Joel Jack, organizer of the SSBQ, said the quiz is hosted “to try to encourage academic excellence and … to help in the spiritual development of our young people, because we really believe, absolutely without question, there is no better book than the Bible.”

Gidonna, a former student of the Thomas Saunders Secondary School, has exceeded the requirements for the award, by entering the SSBQ a total of 15 times. Coupled with this, she passed 10 subjects with three ones, four twos and three threes in the CSEC examinations, allowing her to snag the award.

Now a student of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC), Gidonna divulged that winning the award was not by happenstance.

“I used to always do the quiz if I had the chance. Then in Form 2, I heard about the award, so I decided to work towards it. I made it a goal.”

Now, choosing to study Literatures in English, Biology and Computer Science, at A level, Gidonna wishes to pursue a career in the line of the sciences.

Jack, in congratulating her at the presentation on Tuesday, stated, “We’d like to congratulate you and to encourage you to do your very best and to continue to excel. Don’t forget God and the Bible. He will take you through life.”

The SSBQ, which is supported by many entities, including Acute Cosmetics, Searchlight, WEFM, Jujube, Right Stuff and the Jack family, sees three questions on the Bible being posed to secondary school students monthly, with all correct entries being placed in a draw. The winner of the monthly draw is presented with prizes, compliments the sponsors.