Agnes Academy came from behind on Saturday night to win the eighth annual Quiz Contest for Secondary Schools.

In the decisive current events category, MSA overtook Bermuda Institute, which led at the half, and fended off a late surge by Warwick Academy, which finished second.

The final score was Mount St. Agnes 250; Warwick Academy 235; Berkeley Institute 210; Bermuda Institute 205; and Sandys Secondary and Saltus Grammar tied with 195.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan shook hands with each competitor and wished them luck before the contest got underway at the Hamilton Princess.

Also attending were Sen. the Hon. Pamela Gordon, whose Youth and Sport Ministry organises the contest, and Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons.

"The competition tonight was exceptionally good,'' Sen. Gordon said. "Those who were more up to speed on what was happening in current events ended up winning out.'' Mr. Simons said the contest was a credit to not only the school system, but all of Bermuda. "It is always encouraging to see the result of what has obviously been a lot of work,'' he said.

While ZBM had carried the Quiz Contest live on radio before, moderator Mr. Leo Mills noted it was the first time the competition had been telecast "coast to coast''.

About 200 people turned out at the Princess Room to see the six schools, which had advanced in semi-final competitions held last week.

Donations at the door raised $470 for the Calvin Ming Telethon Fund, the charity chosen by the six team captains.

The students were vying for more than $13,000 worth of school and individual prizes.

As the overall winners, Mount St. Agnes received two school computers from Bermuda Electric Light Co. Ltd. and Bermuda Computer Services, and a plaque from the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Recreation.

Team members Wendy Johnston, Desmond Mello, Selena Mello, Nicholas Pacheco, Nicole Pinder, and alternate Sean Mayers received a luncheon cruise from Meyer Agencies Ltd. and commemorative coins from the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

MSA coach Miss Pat Doyle, who spent many Saturdays working with the team, said the school was becoming well-equipped electronically. "We've been second five or six times, and each time we've received a computer,'' she said.

The questions focused on Bermuda in areas such as history, geography, personalities, music, art, politics, the economy, sports, and current events.

To prepare, students were encouraged to memorise 1,500 facts and read The Royal Gazette to become familiar with current events.

By placing second, the all-girls team from Warwick Academy received commemorative coins and a school computer from The Argus Group of Companies.

Defending champions Berkeley Institute, who placed third, received silver bowls and a $500 voucher to purchase school library books from the Ministry of Youth and Sport.

As winners of the current events category, Mount St. Agnes received The Royal Gazette Shield, $1,000 of free advertising in the newspaper, and $250 to purchase books for the school library. Team members received $50 to purchase school supplies at The Royal Gazette Stationery Store and replicas of the shield.

Tie-breakers were required to determine the winners of the personalities, music and art, and the wild card categories.

By faring the best in best in personalities, music, and art, Berkeley Institute won a free soft drink for each Berkeley student, courtesy of John Barritt and Son Ltd.

As winners of the wild card category, each Sandys Secondary School student will receive a can of juice from John Barritt and Son.

There were also a record 12 silver cups presented to students who recorded perfect scores throughout the competition. On Saturday, Nicole Pinder and Desmond Mello of Mount St. Agnes were perfect, as was Regina Ferguson of Berkeley Institute.

QUIZ CHAMPS -- The winning Mount St. Agnes Academy team, from left: Wendy Johnston, 15, Nicholas Pacheco, 14, Sean Mayers, 14, Selena Mello, 14, Nicole Pinder, 15, and Desmond Mello, 16.