The syllable started with a z and ended with a ch. The word had to be either Zacchaeus or Zechariah. Spectators shifted toward one another on their pews, quietly exchanging guesses. After nearly a full 30 seconds of deep thought and intense reasoning, she spit out a verse detailing the death of the prophet Zechariah. The quizmaster called her correct, the scoreboard was adjusted, and Western Pennsylvania 1 surpassed the first place team on the last question of the quiz. They would be joining Western Pennsylvania 2 in the International Bible Quizzing finals later that night; both teams from the district would quiz againsone another and students from the Metropolitan district for the top three positions.
 

            A few hours later, the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “O Canada” commenced the final competition. The first team to win two quizzes would be awarded first place, and the performance of the other two teams would determine second and third places. All three teams performed impressively; but after a quick two quizzes, placement had been determined. Western PA 2, composed of Joanna Daigle, Johnny Daigle, Joey Douglas, Alex Heimann and Jeff Kaday and coached by Juanita Douglas and Bethany Ruth, was the top quizzing team across the United States and Canada; and Western PA 1 - Mindi Douglas, Mark Heimann, Tim Hutchison, Andrew McDunn, and Amanda Olbeter coached by Nancy Stork and Bill Swan - was second.

            At the awards ceremony following finals, the teams stood together to receive their trophies, and individual members of the team also received recognition for outstanding achievements. Mark Heimann was given an award for having the second highest individual average, and Joey Douglas took the first place individual trophy. Joey was also awarded the quizzer of excellence award, intended to honor a quizzer of both impressive ability and supreme character and integrity.

            But during the time of sharing after the awards ceremony, Joey, a graduating senior, spoke about the most valuable result of the week of competition and of the role of the quizzing program in his life in general. Despite the fact that he had won the three most coveted awards available to a C&MA Bible quizzer, they meant nothing to him when placed next to the impact Bible quizzing had had on his life and the growth he had experienced over his many years of devotedly studying the Word of God.

            All quizzers could attest to this immeasurable value of quizzing in their lives and spiritual journeys; so when more than 100 youth left Crown College on July 12, some brought home vans or suitcases occupied by trophies and medals. Every quizzer, though, carried away memories of a week spent immersed in God’s Word and surrounded by an unparalleled fellowship of believers.