The RVCC Novas hosted the first annual Metropolitan Athletic Congress Culture Bee on Tuesday, March 4th at the Rochdale Village Community Center. Youth track clubs from Queens and Brooklyn participated in the event. Teams were given over 300 questions to study and prepare for the game show. A professional lights and buzzer system was used making the show exciting for participants and the audience as well. The Novas youth club for the past 6 years have held its own competition for members only. This would be the first year that the Rochdale club would invite local area clubs the Culture Bee.

The Novas youth showed that they were not just fast runners, but smart and studious as well. Competing in 3 different divisions, the Novas would go on to victory in each of the 3 divisions! The Novas were exquisitely dressed in their professionally made red, black and green outfits. The master of ceremonies, Director George Taylor was also dressed in his authentic African attire this evening.

The Bantam division (10 years old and younger) competed against the Jeuness track club from Brooklyn and the Metro Eagles from Queens. Led by captain Robin Simms the Novas scored an easy victory in the first game. The team consisted of Kendra Orr, Shane Anglade, Goody Downer and Wynter Reid. DiAvoni Jacobs was a member, but could not participate because she was ill.

The midget division was our strongest team this year. Competing against Jeuness and the Ruff Kutz from Queens, the Novas brought home the winners trophy once again. Every member was very strong including captain George Taylor and his brother Robert Taylor, Gregory Hinds, Domenique Morrison and P.S. 30 school champion Raquel Koulesser.

The Youth division of 13-15 year olds did not have such an easy time against Metro and Jeuness. The Metro team was particularly strong, but our Novas held on for a narrow victory in the final game of the evening. The youth team consisted of captain Sharlene Smith, Dalilah Muhammad, Marcella Shamblee, Imaira Thompson and Bryan Hinds.

The evening was not about the competition, but the unity of the clubs and the increased knowledge of self and African American history. A good time was had by all, especially our guests who vowed to return next year and take home the team trophy.