Jane Collins Academy comes close

The team from Jane Collins Academy in Hare Bay proved it has a solid understanding of safety in the workplace, and almost grabbed a spot in the final of SAFE Work Newfoundland and Labrador's Who Wants to Save a Life competition.

Booth Memorial High in St. John's defeated the team from Hare Bay 230-170, and will now move on to the final to compete against E.A. Butler All-Grade School of McKay's on May 18 in Grand Falls-Windsor. They will compete for $15,000 in scholarship and prize money.

The competition centres around a trivia game designed to educate participants about workplace health and safety.

Such knowledge is important for young people. According to the Workplace Health and Safety Commission, over 5,000 workers between the ages of 15 and 24 have been injured on the job over the last five years.

The team from Jane Collins Academy, which included Julian Brown, Joshua Collins, Kyle Hall, Jonathan Pickett and Lucas Rogers, took part in an exciting quarterfinal match up against Botwood Collegiate on April 20, winning 320-290.

"In Botwood, we came back from behind," said Jonathan, a Grade 11 student like the rest of his teammates. "They were up through most of it, and then at the end for the final question, we bet all of our points, and they bet 20 of theirs, and it ended up pretty close."

It was a fortunate turn of events for the team, as Botwood Collegiate had almost doubled Jane Collins Academy's points total preceding the final question.

"We barely got them," said Lucas.

The come-from-behind win was an unexpected one, he said.

That victory allowed the team to travel to St. John's April 27 to compete against Booth Memorial High. Unlike what happened in Botwood, Jane Collins Academy was unable to come up with the correct response on the final question.

The questions were more challenging in the semi-final round, said Jonathan.

Despite losing, Jonathan said the team had an enjoyable experience in St. John's

"Afterwards, we went to Eastside Mario's," he said. "It was still a fun trip."

After having taken part in three games against other schools, Lucas said his knowledge of workplace safety has been heightened.

"I definitely know more," he said. "You do learn a lot from it."

Such matters will be of vital importance down the road for Lucas should he decide to follow his career path. After finishing high school, he intends to become a helicopter pilot.

The students received sports bags for appearing in the quarterfinal, and took home hoodies after taking part in the semi-final match.

info@ganderbeacon.ca