February 11, 2021

FGC Student Named FCSAA Brain Bowl Student of the Month

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Florida Gateway College student Benjamin Jacob Esau Smith has been named the Brain Bowl Student of the Month for January 2021 by the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA).

James Givvines, FGC professor and Brain Bowl State Advisor, nominated Benjamin for the award.

“Ben is highly enthusiastic and really helps to push and encourage the other players in practice,” said Givvines. “He is the first one to the Zoom meetings for practice, often making it before the coach. I am honored to nominate Benjamin for this award.”

In January, the FGC Brain Bowl Team competed in the Santa Fe Open and the National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT) Community College Sectionals. Benjamin led the team in points scored at both tournaments, earning 30 and 35 points, respectively. At the Florida Gateway Open on February 5-6, Benjamin was again FGC’s highest scorer.

Benjamin is a Dual Enrollment student from Baker County, maintains a 4.0 GPA, and will be graduating from high school this spring. He is active in multiple clubs and honor societies including: Phi Theta Kappa, the Honor Society for two-year colleges; Mu Alpha Theta, a high school Math Honor Society; and his high school Beta Club. After graduation, he plans to transfer to the University of North Florida in Fall 2021 and hopes to major in History and Political Science.

According to Givvines, Benjamin and his teammate Michael Loc Turner “have formed the nucleus of the team for the 2020-2021 season,” leading the team’s newer players in three tournaments in the fall and three more so far this spring, with at least two more to come.

FGC’s finish in the top 16 at the NAQT Sectionals has earned them an invitation to the Community College National Championship on February 27. This will be the team’s next tournament, followed by the FCSAA State Championship on March 26-27.