SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College's Upward Bound Math & Science Scholars' Bowl team from Harnett County Schools won first place in the North Carolina Council of Educational Opportunity Programs Scholars' Bowl competition on Saturday, March 28, at Fayetteville State University.

Upward Bound Math and Science is a grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Education that provides free, fundamental support to 60 Harnett County high school students in their preparation for college and careers in math and science.

Scholars' Bowl is an academic team competition among TRiO Programs, including Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science, in which teams of four are asked questions in categories such as science, math, social studies, language, arts & humanities, and current events. Contestants must buzz in to answer toss-up questions. If the answer is correct, the contestant's team has the opportunity to earn additional points by answering a bonus question.

CCCC's Upward Bound Math and Science team is comprised of five members -- senior Kayla Coleman of Harnett Central High School, juniors Christie Cotten from Western Harnett High School and Jeremy Walker from Triton High School, and sophomores Kayla Johnson and Kiara Jones, both from Overhills High School.

"This team played outstandingly well together. Before the competition, they knew very little about Scholars' Bowl and had not yet practiced as a team, however, they played well together, encouraged each other, proved their incredible wealth of knowledge as a team, and most of all, enjoyed the competition," said the team's coach, Ashley Tittemore, who is Director of TRiO Programs at CCCC.

On April 18th, the team will represent North Carolina against other Upward Bound programs from seven other states in the southeast in Atlanta, Ga.

The Upward Bound Math and Science program is designed to strengthen the math and science skills of participating students. The goal of the program is to help students recognize and develop their potential to excel in math and science and to encourage them to pursue postsecondary degrees in math and science, and ultimately careers in the math and science profession.

For further information on the CCCC Upward Bound Math and Science program, contact Ashley Tittemore, Director of TRiO Programs at atittemore@cccc.edu or call 919-718-7463, or visit the website www.cccc.edu/trio/mathandscience.