World Scholars Trip to Yale!

As the Braeburn community, we aspire to make our learners confident, and responsible, and to enjoy their successes. This spirit has enabled our learners to be on the winning side over and over again. We are delighted to inform you about the just concluded World Scholars’ Cup trip to Yale, held in New Haven. The scholars were away for ten days, taking part in debating, scholars’ challenges, and Bowl activities as well as a much anticipated Scavenger Hunt, which served to break the ice among scholars drawn from more than thirty countries.

The students made Braeburn Gitanga Road proud, flying our flag high among a sea of flags, by bringing back medals that were truly deserved for their achievements in various activities. Their medals speak highly of their teamwork as well as their ability to read widely across the six subjects of the broad World Scholars Cup Tournament. Some students like Ananya in Year 9 were recognised for being ‘fake senior scholars’, contesting in a senior category and standing their ground to achieve medals nonetheless. What an achievement!

She had been trained to take part in the Junior Round and was moved at the last minute to participate in the Senior Category.

The atmosphere at the closing ceremony was scintillating, with excited students roaring in frenzied disbelief when their names were called out to receive awards. The overwhelming aura was testament to the zeal expended throughout the competition as students debated, collaborated in writing, and answered quick-fire questions across a wide body of knowledge, appropriately referred to as the Scholars’ Bowl, where questions are based on: History, a Special Area, Art &Music, Literature & Media, Science &Technology. These scholarly activities culminated in the Talent Show and the Showcase Debate which went to demonstrate the scholars’ efforts in fashion, poetry, music, dance, art, public speaking, and even comedy.

I am certain that our scholars have many memories of the trip, from their tours of New York City with its staggering iconography. They interacted with Yale students and a professor before heading to Boston to take in the amazing sights of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  Lakshita Dutt and Advait Panchbhai took off at MIT, losing themselves for more than an hour in the maze and allure of the books! They walked the paths walked by intellectuals they admire, and now they have promised themselves that their ultimate study destination is none other than the renowned MIT. And I say, GO FOR IT!

We are indebted to the parents who offered immense support in preparing the students for the competition and facilitating them. We also appreciate the efforts of both Mr Bailey and Ms Borwell who walked the journey with the scholars and the coaches. The scholars’ fire (the PWAA in our lingo) has been ignited!

Mrs. Eunice Muthama

Teacher of English