Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School hosted the 37th annual Diocesan Religion Scholars Bowl on Wednesday, March 8, in the church’s social hall. Ten of the diocesan schools participated this year. From Birmingham, St. Francis Xavier, Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Rose Academy, Prince of Peace, and Our Lady of the Valley participated. In addition to the Birmingham area schools, St. James in Gadsden, St. Ann in Decatur, Holy Family in Huntsville, St. John the Baptist in Madison, and Sacred Heart in Cullman traveled to be a part of the event.

Teams were composed of one student from each of the participating schools from third through eighth grade. The competition consisted of a 25-point matching test, which was taken in cooperative groups. There were three oral rounds of questions throughout the remainder of the day. Each participant received a participation certificate, and first- through sixth-place ribbons were awarded to the grade-level teams.

In first place with 153 points was the fourth-grade team, which included Collin Donatelli, Cara Sneed, Henry Houser, Graem Sullivan, Anamari Alonzo, Jacob Spradlin, Zanna Obiora-Akubue, Lily Beth Veigl, Annabelle Zamora, and Brooke Anderson.

In second place with 150 points was the third-grade team, which included Emory Persaud, Isabelle Tucker, Katy Ubil, RJ Molina, Tristan Ramos, Alexander Neri, Anna Yohe, John Carl Knight, Lizzy Clifford, and Theresa Williford.

In third place with 149 points was the sixth-grade team, which included Fritz Detwiler, Tristan Wilson, Charlie Sullivan, Owen Kate Mudie, Catherine Russell, Peter Korman, Saleen Mata, Anna Claire Harrison, Reesie Horton, and Maura O'Farrell.

In fourth place with 138 points was the eighth-grade team, which included Treyvon Ogunfowokan, Guliana Grissett, Stephen Thornton, Joe Dillard, Elizabeth Russell, William Korman, Julie Yohe, James Crabb, Gabriel Zimmerman, and Elizabeth O'Farrell.

In fifth place with 136 points was the fifth-grade team, which included Daniel French, Emma Beckum, Mary Alice Von Hagel, Wesley Sullivan, Aiden Cai, Emma Traylor, Claire Sullivan, Pria Loegler, Waverly Robinson, and Hannah Ceasar.

In sixth place with 134 points was the seventh-grade team, which included Gianna King, Mary Elson, Sawyer Holmes, Joseph Ludwick, Cesar Blancas, Ellie Rush, Allyson Hernandez, Norah Bissot, Izzy Whaley, and Abigail Deakle.

The moderators for the day's event were Peggy DeBlanc-Vogt and Daniel McCormick. Father Kevin Bazzel began the day with a prayer and words of encouragement for the children. Prior to the event, Becky Williamson and Winnie Martinez worked for months to prepare, and Lauren and Zack DeGonzague, with the help of the OLV PTO, set up a hospitality room for the adults. The OLV community and the PTO falso donated snacks, drinks, paper products, and other necessary items for the event. On the day of the competition, many OLV parents helped, including Kersti O'Farrell, Deborah Bruno, Elizabeth Folsom, Melissa Deakle, and Katie Ceasar.

Mark March 6, 2024 on your calendars for Religion Scholars Bowl 2024.