Who all is either too old to compete again or is not planning to in 2013?

I was kind of wishing the NBB program had all the contestants ages listed but they didn't, so I was wondering who of all the qualifiers this year especially from the Seniors might be back next year?

This is actually my last year to compete. I'll be sad to leave it, but I'm hoping to convince some of my family members to qualify next year.
I can't really tell you who is still competing (that would be a long list), but i can tell you of some who are not. Over the years you can guess who wouldn't come back by how many years they have competed in each age division. Matthew Evans is the only semi-finalist i know of who will be too old to compete. (there are a couple of others I'm not so sure about.) Otherwise, of the Finalists, I know they all can compete, but most if not all of them were unsure if they would (except for Rachel Gosz who said she probably wouldn't be coming back.) I have a feeling with so few people graduating and many of the Juniors moving up, next years Senior division will be pretty competitive.
That sure is a lot words for not very much info.

Well, I am too old to compete in the BB anymore (unless they drastically change the date of Nationals!), so I am kinda sad about that. Hopefully, one of my siblings will want to do it. At any rate, Lord willing, I will probably be at Nationals next year, whether accompanying a family member, or volunteering. As to your question about who is too old, besides Luke and Matthew, these are several other people who I think are too old: Lucy Alessio, Luke Anderson, Elizabeth Brom, Nathan Burkhalter. I am pretty sure about all of them, but I would have to make educated guesses on other people.

Actually, I pretty sure that neither Lucy, Luke or Elizabeth are too old to compete because they all competed in the Junior Division their first year of competition. That would make them all 14 in 2009 and 17 in 2012. (unless their birthdays fell in those two weeks in November) I talked to Lucy at least I am pretty sure she can compete next, but she may choose not to. The last year (when they are eighteen) can be hard for most people deciding whether they should start college or do the Bible Bee another year. (which was the case with Bethany Lee)

Thomas is right about me not being in the NBB. ( too old it's amazing isn't it.) started the Bible Bee four years ago. I actually did both college and the NBB this year. I may be at Nationals next year depending on what the Lord's plans are for me. I'd like to go, but we'll see. I will keep memorizing God's Word here on Memverse and ScriptureTyper. I really enjoy the Bible Bee though because you actually get to meet others who have the same passion for the scriptures as you do. :) Would encourage everyone who is in the age category to do it.

Yeah, I really want to volunteer next year, too! I am so glad for the privilege of qualifying for Nationals my first and last year but now I really wish I had taken studying more seriously the past three years! Maybe all of us Seniors who are too old to compete can see who we can help 'coach' or encourage for this next Bee season? I know I can help my younger brother more now that I am not in it.

It is impressive to undertake both college and the super intense NBB prep at once! I don't know how I could've been in home school AND prepare for Nationals at once! Crazy!!!!!

I'm not totally sure, but I think Elizabeth told me she's too old to compete again. I thought this year's finals was very competitive( I don't know how it compares to other years), but I can't imagine how hard it'll be next year IF Rachel, Lucy, and Elizabeth and the other semi-finalists return!!!

I am yet another Senior who has "graduated" so to speak. I'm actually kind of glad I'm too old for the Bible Bee now. All that studying had gotten me really burned out. I love memorization, but I'm a little OCD, so I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself which can be exhausting.

Of those who are young enough to compete, who is going to compete? I know that my family and I are planning on doing it again – We'll have 2 seniors, 1 junior and 1 primary!!

We are planning on doing it again! Can't wait. =P =D

I am definitely doing it again.

I am DEFINITELY doing it again next year, (that is, Lord willing I will be! ;-) ) I can't wait till April 1st :D

Bethany - Is Ellia going to be old enough to do it next year? That's great! :)

The Minicas are planning on doing it again. Next year we will have 1 Senior, 2 Juniors, and 2 Primaries. Everyone's set on trying to make it to Nationals - we'll see how many of us keep that motivation through the summer. :)

@Rachel - Yes, Ellia is old enough to compete…though still 6 at Locals.

@Matthew - You'll have 4 contestants just like us! What is Brianna thinking about being a first time Junior? We all have the motivation right now, but, like you all, we'll see how it lasts through the summer. I know that Ellia would REALLY like to make it on, though she has lots of work to do to get ready for that test! She has just recently started reading :)

EDIT - Matthew, did your family go with you into your oral round at Nationals? How did that go?

Actually we're going to have five contestants… Zachary is going to be a Primary. Brianna is excited about being a Junior. She was actually almost a Junior this year - her 11th birthday was a couple weeks ago. She says she wants to try really hard to make it next year. I think it would be REALLY cool if next year, there were more Nationals contestants from our family than just Courtney and I. :)

Yes, some of my family got to listen to my Oral Test - even Courtney got to listen to it! I kind of forgot about them during the test, because of focusing on the verses so much. It went pretty well, and Courtney afterwards was able to tell me what she thought of my performance. Though, there were a lot of Senior passages in the test, so she didn't know about those, of course.

Oh, 5! I guess I wasn't counting careful enough (you would think, being in 11th grade, I should be able to count to 5 easy enough :P) We will never have 5 contestants in our family at the same time :( Faith is 3…which means 4 more years till she can compete. How how is your next youngest siblings after Zachary…could you have 6 competing at the same time?

You just have more siblings squished in there with 8 children…we have 7 children with 18 years difference!

The next one is Summer, she will be able to compete in 2015. We will have six competing at the same time for a few different years. Actually, in 2020 we will have seven contestants - Brianna and Philip will be Seniors, Zachary and Summer will be Juniors, and Melody, Harmony, and our new baby due in March will be Primaries!

You're not competing anymore, Darcy? Awwww…will you still be at Locals? We'll miss you—oh wait, will Ethan still be competing?

I probably all know that I am too old. 2011 was my last year.

Ouch… This is a sad thread!!! I'm glad I still have one more year!!!
@Thomas. Is Luke Anderson seriously to old??? I'm going to miss him!

Well, another contestant informed me that he is not too old, so I guess he is still eligible to compete. I would love to go back, Lord willing, as a volunteer since I am too old to compete anymore.

It seems kind of funny that you all are saying you are "too old" - you're not THAT old! :D

Amen, Rachel!!!

Just kidding :) But yes, "old" is relatively speaking :) I know once I turned 19, there were quite a few things I was too "old" for, and I do feel "older" than at 18, but when I'm told all the time that I look 12 or 13, it keeps me from feeling too "old"!!

I do think we as "Bible Bee graduates" appreciate the influence of the Bible Bee in our lives, and at the same time realize that we have to make the choice to use its impact to continue to motivate ourselves to study and memorize God's Word. I'm afraid it's all too easy not to challenge ourselves in the same way that the Bible Bee does. I know I really need to grow in this area! I would appreciate your prayers…..

God bless you, fellow soldiers!

@Grace: Wow! 12 or 13??? I would never have thought that! My older sister often gets 14 or 15 while she's 19… On the other hand, I'm always getting asked if I'm 19-21! And I'm only 17!

This is my second year being "too old for Bible Bee"

I made it Nationals both years I competed, and I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to participate. It definitely changed my life.

Last year our whole family helped host our local Bible Bee, and volunteered at Nationals, and we are planning kindling the same this year. It's a wonderful way to be involved, and help support the Bible Bee.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to take on a encouraging role in the lives of my fellow contestants. And I sincerely hope my influence will be beneficial In their lives:)

For those of you that are too old, I would encourage you to support and encourage your friends, and siblings who are still competing.
Also spread the word about Bible Bee, and try to get someone you know to host this year:) or maybe get someone new to compete:)
Share our experience, and people will want to participate.

So should we post our sad poetry here or somewhere else?

If you want to have a collection of bb poetry that's not just about being too old to do it, then I would do it somewhere else.

Thanks! That's just what I was thinking too… the problem is where? :)

Yeah… that is the problem. :P Maybe you could do it on the general BB page… (http://www.memverse.com/forums/forums/bible-bee/topics/bible-bee-chat-room) Maybe. I don't know. xP

That is a possibility… a good one. We should ask our other poets. :)