Quite commonly when guests are invited over for a visit extra efforts are extended to insure their comfort as a show of hospitality.  Travelers of such a long distance are greeted with a bright, comfortable room, ample space to stretch out and relax, and plenty of good food to make sure no one goes hungry. Ultimately, the needs of the guest come before those of the host. As Toledo served as the host of the latest OhioJBQ tournament, the guest Jr Bible Quizzers and their families certainly did enjoy themselves. So much so, that they even left with the biggest trophies. In Round Robin action in the Junior division it was Dublin First  over Second Place Toledo. While the Beginner Division saw Columbus 1 leave with the First Place trophy to Toledo/Upper Sandusky’s Second. All in all it was a great day for OhioJBQ that left everyone anxious for the next gathering. The April tournament will be held at Dublin (Meyers) Apr. 23., Everyone also should be getting their registrations sent in for the NorthCentral Jr Bible Quizzing Extravaganza Apr. 29-30 in Moline, IL. Extravaganza is an event not to be missed. It is strategically placed by the UPCI to counteract to midseason blahs and provide an exciting trip to meet quizzers from other states, make new friends, and enjoy competing in a new and unique environment. It also gives every team an opportunity to experience a national level tournament. Ask anyone who has attended one and they will tell you about the awesome time they had. Make sure you plan on attending! There is a discount off the registration fee for those who get their registration in before Apr. 19. So do not delay. Visit the tournament page for more information.

A new year and a new season in OhioJBQ began in Mount Vernon and with new seasons come new beginnings. All that happened last year is now in the past and an opportunity for a fresh start is granted to all. With many new faces in attendance it appears that 2011 OhioJBQ is going to have a new look and feel . We welcome the new quizzers and families from Zanesville and Dublin (Meyers) and it was also great to see our many faithful friends that reunite each year because of our common love for children and the Word of God.  After a round robin competition in both divisions it was clear to see that two teams were ready to make an impression that they hope will resound throughout the year. In the Junior division, Dublin conquered all comers for an undefeated First Place finish. The new team from Zanesville had an impressive debut by finishing in Second Place. While the Columbus Beginners continued their winning ways by cruising to an undefeated First Place finish of their own. With this new season there will be plenty of opportunities to see the exciting competition develop over the next five months . Make sure to follow the links on the Tournaments Page to see more of the results from Mount Vernon. We look forward to seeing everyone Feb. 19 in Upper Sandusky.

Although we are still in the midst of a cold and snowy winter we always welcome any kind of sign that will remind us that spring is just around the corner. Clothing catalogs that arrive in the mail prominently illustrate the styles that everyone will be wearing in warmer weather. Shopping Mall store fronts prominently display the latest fashion for fun in the sun. At the latest JBQ tournament in Upper Sandusky it appears that a winning style is taking Ohio by storm. In the Beginner Division Columbus 1 is making undefeated First Place Finishes all the rage by capturing their second consecutive unblemished trophy. While Zanesville and Toledo/Upper Sandusky were left to battle  for the Second and Third Place trophies, respectively. The style conscious Junior Division was not about to be left out of the craze. Not wanting to be considered unfashionable, Toledo joined in on the latest trend with an undefeated First Place finish of their own over Dublin. Zanesville once again brought another trophy home for this new team, but had to overcome hard working Columbus 1 to finish in Third Place. Check out the Results link on the Tournaments page for more details. The excitement for the Word of God in our competition and in our children is only going to grow stronger as the season progresses. Next month’s OhioJBQ tournament will be hosted by Toledo. Thank you to all the coaches for having your registrations turned in ahead of time.  This makes it so much easier for Bro. and Sis. Redmond to prepare for a tournament when they know how many teams are going to be attending.

It was an Easter holiday weekend where many families could be off on vacation or away visiting family and friends. Not so for the Ohio Jr Bible Quizzers as they gathered in Dublin for another opportunity to hone their skills and challenge each other in friendly competition. Each team is hoping their efforts will pay off extra dividends in their preparation for the North Central Extravaganza next weekend. The quizzing in the Junior division was much tighter as Toledo had to hold off a second round surge by Columbus to gain their First Place Trophy. In the Beginner Division Columbus once again seized hold of another undefeated First Place finish over Toledo/Upper Sandusky.  Now all attention shifts westward to the tournament action in Moline, IL. There’s no better place to get an up close view than at www.upcquiz.com. Look for the BQTournament Live banner at the top, click on it, and you’ll be able to view score sheets of current games. You can follow the results of each question and cheer on our Ohio Jr Bible Quizzers as they face off against some of the top teams in the nation. Stay tuned for a wrap up of the Extravaganza results here at ohiojbq.com.

The Ohio Jr Bible Quizzers have unpacked their bags after taking their long journey to Extravaganza. Whenever travelling to new places it is always customary to bring home a memento to serve as a reminder of the experience for years to come. Several teams brought home rather large souvenirs to signify some rather lofty accomplishments. In a tournament of this magnitude it always a notable feat to bring home a trophy of any kind. At the North Central Extravaganza in Moline, IL the Bible Quizzers from Toledo/Upper Sandusky made a second round run to remember to gain the Third Place trophy. Toledo’s Syndi Gross averaged 77.8 points per quiz and was awarded First Place on the All-tournament team. Columbus’ Seth Glover was named Third Place All-tournament with 72.5 ppq. In the Junior Division, Jared Kufel of Toledo averaged 91.3 ppq for the First Place All-tournament recognition and Zanesville’s Anna Johnston was Fifth Place with 70.0 ppq.  Dublin made a trip of their own to Raleigh, NC for the South Eastern Extravaganza. They made sure to bring more hardware back to Ohio with a Junior Division Fourth Place team trophy. Thomas Carpenter averaged 75.0 ppq to earn a Third Place Trophy on the All-Tournament team. We appreciate the extra effort put in by all the Ohio Jr. Bible quizzers, coaches, and families to travel the long distances and represent our District so well on the regional level.

While many students are  nearing the end of the school year there is  still work to be done in order for them to complete their academic requirements.  They are working diligently to finish their remaining assignments, term papers, and presentations with the hopes of earning that coveted “A” on their final report card. So it is also true for the Ohio Jr Bible Quizzers as they near the conclusion of the 2011 season. Many are putting the finishing touches on the last remaining verses to be memorized and giving their best efforts to answer each question correctly. The latest tournament at Zanesville would provide one last opportunity before State Finals for teams to improve their quoting and quizzing skills. In the Junior Division, Columbus squared off with Toledo in the finals of the First Round and in the Championship game, but were not able to keep them from their undefeated First Place finish.  While over in the Beginner Division Toledo/Upper Sandusky had the upper hand after the First Round, but were not able to hold off Columbus from taking back two games and the First Place trophy. Now it is on to State Finals June 17-18 in Mt. Vernon. Coaches need to make sure their Registrations and Award Voting Forms are sent in by June 1. Both forms can be found on the Tournaments schedule page. We are looking forward to a great conclusion to the season and an awesome celebration of all the accomplishments of every quizzer, parent and coach who has worked so hard throughout this year.

After a one year hiatus in St. Louis, the JBQ National Tournament will once again revisit Branson, MO. Four teams from Ohio will be making the return trip as the 2011 OhioJBQ season came to a close with the State Finals tournament in Mt. Vernon, OH. The games were highly competitive as several teams had their sights set on the two coveted qualifying spots in both divisions.  In the Junior Division, Columbus and Zanesville had proven throughout the season that they were teams worthy of consideration and battled valiantly in both the first and second rounds. Ultimately, the Finals would come down to a showdown between Toledo and Dublin. As if nothing less would be appropriate, the First Place trophy came down to the last question of the last game. In the end, Toledo would triumph and claim the biggest prize. In the Beginner Division Zanesville and Toledo/Upper Sandusky were determined to give undefeated Columbus their best shot. Each team demonstrated the skill to get to the final game, but it would be Toledo/Upper Sandusky that would finish in Second Place. Seemingly untouchable all year, Columbus stood at the top with another First Place trophy. Now these Warriors of the Word of God will begin their westward march towards Branson. The next stop in the campaign will be in Indianapolis, IN at the North Central Tournament of  Champions July 2. We would like to acknowledge all of the Jr Bible Quizzers, parents, and coaches that successfully completed the season. The true victory of this ministry has been given to you as each Bible verse memorized fulfills its purpose in your life. These accomplishments are worthy of a celebration and that is what this weekend is really all about. Make sure to check out the OhioJBQ Awards results and the Celebration Pictures on the Tournaments Page.

The North Central Tournament of Champions took place in Indianapolis over the 4th of July weekend with high expectations of every team present. State Champions from Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin were poised to extend their District dominance to a regional level. While runner-up teams that had fallen just short in State competition were anxious for another opportunity to prove themselves. With this many quality teams arriving at the same location seeking the same objective there was certain to be a collision. This definitely proved to be the case in the Junior Division where Toledo competed well, but ended up just one game away from taking home a trophy and finished in Third Place. Jared Kufel was awarded First Place on the All-Tournament team with an average of 116 points per quiz. The battles in the Beginner Division were just as fierce. Toledo/Upper Sandusky gave a solid effort but had to settle for a Fifth Place finish. Sydni Gross finished the day with a 62 ppq average which was good for Second Place on the All-Tournament team. At the end of the day the only thing that was settled was that each team present was worthy of their National Tournament qualification. Competition of this magnitude only serves to make its participants stronger. Any one of the teams present could be expected to challenge for a trophy in Branson, MO on July 25-29. Stay tuned to upcquiz.com for all the action as the grand finale of the season approaches.

In the world of entertainment, aspiring artists will sacrifice and perform in relative obscurity with only one goal in mind. To make it to the “Big Stage.” To be under the bright lights. To receive recognition amongst your peers as one of the best. And so it is also true of the many young Jr Bible Quizzers that have worked so hard all season long. Children representing 103 teams in both Junior and Beginner Divisions arrived at the National Tournament in Branson, MO for the final performance of the season. Each determined to do their very best. However only a select few would be recognized on the final day of the tournament which would be held in a unique change of venues. Rather than finishing at the Radisson Hotel, the final day of quizzing and the Awards Ceremony would be held next door on the stage of the Moon River Theatre. While the Ohio teams did not make it to the trophy rounds of the tournament, several Ohio quizzers gained recognition for outstanding individual performances. In the Beginner Division, Seth Glover of Columbus finished 4th on the All-Tournament team with an average of 86 pts per quiz. Sydni Gross from Toledo lead her team to a 9th place finish in the tournament, which was just short of achieving a team trophy. However, her average of 82 pts per quiz earned her 5th place on the All-Tournament team. In the Junior Division, Jared Kufel of Toledo finished in 2nd Place on the All-Tournament team with an average of 100 pts per quiz. He was also voted as 1st Runner-up Quizzer of the Year. Go to upcquiz.com for more details. We are very proud of all of our Jr Bible Quizzers who have represented the State of Ohio so well all year long. We look forward to seeing you all for another great season with Bible Doctrine in 2012.

Judging by the overwhelming response of those in attendance, the 2011 Ohio Bible Quizzing Coaches Workshop was a resounding success. With representation from 17 District churches there is considerable excitement for the upcoming season. Especially with the material for 2012 being over Bible Doctrine, now is a great time to consider starting a new team. There was a wealth of resources and experience that was presented that will benefit new and experienced teams alike. Jay Lytle spoke on Organizing and Promoting to start your season. Ryan Jordan presented an Overview of Bible Quizzing Rules. Lindsay Patrisso taught on the use of Time-Outs, Contests, and Point of Orders. Scott and Tammy Glover gave a demonstration on How to Run a Bible Quiz Practice. Gary Kufel spoke on dealing with Uninvolved Parents and Uninspired Quizzers. Ryan Jordan then concluded the afternoon by presenting an article written by Rev. Norman Paslay on Developing Bible Quizzer’s Potential. If you were not able to attend, a DVD of the workshop is available for purchase through Calvary Apostolic Church. If you have additional questions, contact Quizmaster Morey Redmond for more information. We look forward to seeing many new faces in January!

The curtain was raised on the 2012 Jr Bible Quizzing Season at “The Sooner, The Better” Invitational in Seymour, IN. National Quizmaster Bro.Bobby Long and Bro. Terry Marshall were the maestros extraordinaire over a symphony of 17 Junior Division teams and 9 Beginner Division teams. For many teams this was an opportunity to get their instruments in tune for the start of another season. Of note was the exceptional performance put in by our very own Ohio teams in the Junior Division. Toledo rose to the heights of the competition with an undefeated First Place finish and Columbus brought home a Fourth Place trophy for their outstanding efforts. On the All-Tournament team, First Place went to Jared Kufel of Toledo with a 108.3 ppg average and Seth Glover of Columbus was Fifth Place with 73.0 ppg. The sweet sounds of Bible Quizzing will soon be heard in Ohio at the opening tournament in Mount Vernon this coming weekend. Please make sure to send in your registration forms to Bro. Morey Redmond as soon as possible. This will enable them to know how many teams to prepare for in advance. You can locate the registration forms on the Tournament Page along with specific information for the host church. We look forward to seeing you all there.