Paine College will compete in the National Qualifying Tournament of the 30th annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC), America's premier academic competition for top HBCU students. The fast-paced buzzer competition highlights students' academic prowess and ability to answer questions about history, science, literature, religion, the arts and pop culture. Paine College is one of 48 teams competing for institutional grants at the HCASC National Championship Tournament taking place on the American Honda campus in Torrance, California, April 13 – 17, 2019. In 2018, the Paine College All-Stars returned from the West Coast with a $10,000 prize. This year, they hope to bring home a much larger purse.

"We have a very strong team with a vast amount of brainpower that is ready to compete," said Coach Uzetta Gresham. "They have worked really hard to advance to the National Tournament this year. Darrien R. Holland, a Senior majoring in Business Management from Columbia, SC; Travione Donnell Harris, a Senior majoring in history from Lincolnton, GA; Ana Isabel Loera, a Senior majoring in Biology and Pre-Med from Cuidad, Mexico; and Heather A. Snelson, a Sophomore majoring in mass Communications from Atlanta, GA will represent Paine College. Paine College's Honda All-star team is led by Coach Uzetta C. Gresham, with the assistance of Dr. Tamala Brown and Mr. Philip Cody.

Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is a year-round program that centers on academic excellence, community service, leadership, networking opportunities and mentorship. It includes campus engagement, qualifying tournaments and culminates with the National Championship. Since 1989, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, one of Honda's longest running philanthropic initiatives in the United States, has celebrated and recognized the academic talents of HBCU students. More than $9 million in grants from Honda have provided support for scholarships, facility upgrades and other investments to improve the student experience.

"For 30 years, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge has provided a platform for the nation's top HBCU students to advance their dreams," said Steve Morikawa, vice president of Corporate Relations and Social Responsibility at American Honda. "Honda congratulates the ‘Great 48' for their incredible work ethic, teamwork and competitive spirit. We look forward to an exciting National Championship Tournament and crowning the 2019 HCASC National Champion."

To learn more about the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge and to keep abreast of championship and how Paine College advances throughout the championship, visit www.hcasc.com. Connect with HCASC via social media using #HCASC.

We invite the Paine College Family to show support by cheering for the Paine College All-Stars via social media starting today through their return to campus.

Go Paine College Honda All-Stars!