Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 19: In a powerful display of teamwork and social integration, the St Aloysius Higher Primary School Alumni Association, under the aegis of the St Aloysius College Alumni Association (SACAA), successfully organized ‘Aloy Quiz-Whiz 2026’ on Sunday, January 18. The event, held at the school’s Kodialbail campus, reimagined the traditional quiz format to bridge the gap between students of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
The programme commenced with an audience of approximately 200 people, including students, teachers, and parents. Unlike standard academic competitions, the Aloy Quiz-Whiz utilized an innovative team structure designed to foster empathy and cooperation. Each competing team was a microcosm of society, composed of one visually impaired participant, one student with speech and hearing impairment, one student from a government school, and two students from private schools. This unique structure emphasized that while all quizzes test general knowledge, this specific initiative focused on overcoming natural barriers through cohesive teamwork.
The primary objectives of the quiz were to educate the public on the high capabilities of specially-abled children and to sensitize young students to social diversity. Josita Sequeira, headmistress of the school, delivered the welcome note, followed by an inaugural address by Fr Melwin Pinto SJ, rector of St Aloysius Group of Institutions. Fr Pinto highlighted the significance of inclusivity, praising the event for its role in social awareness and holistic education. He remarked that he was deeply touched to see the institution hosting an event that brings together schools from across the city.
A total of 15 schools participated, including institutions like Presidency School, Lourdes Central School, and the Roman & Catherine Lobo School. The competition was closely contested, with the top honours eventually going to a combined team of students from the Roman & Catherine Lobo School, S D M Mangalajyothi Integrated School, St Aloysius Gonzaga School, and D K Z P H P School, Kapikad. The winning participants included Arya, U Ameena Nidha, Avika Joshi, Vishnu Dev Panday, and Dilip L D. The second-place trophy was awarded to a team comprising Shree Manma, Shivaram Nayak, Anmol Cherish Saldanha, Chris Shawn D’Souza, and Sneha.
The impact of the event was echoed by various attendees. Calistus D’Sa, principal of the Roman & Catherine School for the visually impaired, noted that this unique format allowed his students to feel truly special and capable of competing on a level playing field. Alumnus Deepak Ramani observed that watching children of all abilities work together served as a reminder of the importance of patience and mutual respect.
The event was smoothly conducted by emcee Neerada from the masters of social work department at St Aloysius University. The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Neil Rodrigues, secretary of the Alumni Association, who noted that the enthusiasm of the children serves as a yearly inspiration for the organizers. The day ended with a communal lunch for all participants and the distribution of participation certificates, marking a successful step forward in the movement for inclusive education in Mangaluru.