Friends of Quizzing- I find it so rewarding to see all your hard work, memorizing and studying God's Word, pay off with rewards on a Saturday tournament. Passing out achievement ribbons and Olympic Memory Challenge certificates and a huge joy. I only wish I had God's grasp of the future. Then I could also see the priceless rewards laid in store, yet to come, making a holy difference, blessing lives everywhere, in God's invisible kingdom through these quizzers. Well done! I apologize for the delays seen in little league-- these will work themselves out. I spoke with a few of the coaches, quizmasters and committee members on ways we might improve and had just one thought for you all concerning "appeals" or "challenges" as they used to be called. Try to use appeals sparingly. They should be rare and primarily to identify a poorly worded question or maybe a misunderstanding of a rule. Lately it seems quizmaster rulings have been appealed because the quizmaster may have shown "too much grace". Quizmasters have a hard job. They want to balance fairness, reward effort, judge accurately, and keep a light spirit going during the quiz. Showing grace is a way to help in all these areas. As a quizmaster, I can tell you there is a sort of science to this grace. Quizmasters will always be aware of the panic the quizzer experiences when they realize they won the jump. Answering in a panic is tough. Quizmasters are also trying to insure basic rules are met. These rules prioritize an accurate answer from the quizzer and then next an assurance that the quizzer understands the question they were asked. Finally, quizmasters are very sensitive to how the brain can memorize meanings instead of words. Quizzers can say things that show they understood the passage and know its meaning by providing answers which aren't word-perfect. The last thing a quizmaster wants to do is call a quizzer wrong on a rule technicality, but it does happen. So continue to appeal and if the appeal is regarding quizmaster grace, the best recourse may be to throw out the question and try the question over again. Super-THANKS to the families that left room after the quiz for some PIZZA! Between the great fellowship, tasty food and Broadway's signature choo-choo train circling the dining room, we all had an amazing time together! Next month's fellowship activity will be "Christmas Treats"-- bring a seasonal family favorite to share for the afternoon break at 3pm. I know I can't wait! See you in a few short weeks on December 10th and be sure to enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving!! Jim Benson Director Rochester YFC Bible Quizzing P.S. Do you have some pictures to share? Send them my way!! http://rochesterbiblequizzing.org/PastResults/2016-2017/standings/02-November.html