Meet Emma Fernández, one of the members of the 2025 NBB Alumni Service Team! Here are some quick facts to help you get to know Emma:
Where she’s from: Fort Worth, Texas
Age: 19
NBB Participation: 2012-2023 (2014-2023 National Contestant)
Fun facts:
- Emma has one sibling, a younger sister who is 12 years old
- She enjoys bird watching and hiking, and loves to stop and identify wildflowers along the way
- Emma is an aspiring piano pedagogue and therefore studies piano pedagogy, which simply put is “the art and practice of teaching”
- Playing and listening to music is one of her favorite pastimes, and she dabbles in composition and considers herself a music theory nerd
- She loves traveling to National Parks and hopes to someday check them all off her list
- Emma is a bibliophile and enjoys classical fiction
What she’s doing now:
Emma is currently in college studying piano and pursuing opportunities to grow as a pianist and a teacher. She runs a private piano studio out of her home and enjoys teaching her students and sharing her love of God’s gift of music. While school and the piano takes up a lot of her time, Emma loves spending quality time with her family and friends and enjoys going out and trying new things with them.
Besides being a member of the Alumni Service Team this year, Emma also plans to be heavily involved among local host groups. She hopes to be a help and encouragement to all the participants and share in the blessings of fellowship and group study.
Hi, Emma! Welcome to the National Bible Bee Blog! Tell us about your NBB journey!
How did your family first become involved in the National Bible Bee? In 2012, my mom found an advertisement online, and signed me up! We eventually became involved in a local host group, and each year our community and involvement grew. This is now our 14th year being involved in the National Bible Bee, and it’s incredible to see what the Lord has done and the amazing friendships and memories we’ve been gifted. Now that I am aged out, I’m blessed to continue serving through the National Bible Bee in new ways.
Do you have a favorite chapter of Scripture?
I can’t possibly pick a favorite chapter, but I’ll highlight a chapter in the book of Psalms that I love, which is Psalm 33. This psalm is a beautiful chapter of praise to the Lord for His goodness and everlasting love. It also reminds us to give all glory to Him in everything we accomplish, and elaborates on specific qualities of who God is–our Creator, Protector, Righteous Judge, and Everlasting King.
With the many verses you have memorized over the years, do you happen to have a favorite Bible verse?
One of my favorite passages (I know it’s not just one verse, but I couldn’t help it!) is in Philippians 4:4-7, where Paul encourages his readers to lift their thoughts and worries up to the Lord and seek prayer in every respect, and He will cover us and protect us with His peace. It is a wonderful reminder to always seek guidance from the Lord and be thankful in difficult times, as He is always with us no matter what comes our way.
If you could only have one copy of one book of the Bible for the rest of your life, which book would it be?
This is a tricky question, but I might just have to say the book of John–it’s full of such beautiful truth of who God is and the deity of Christ, and is a great gospel to share with anyone who might come along my way who may not be familiar with the Bible or the powerful story of salvation. The book of James would be a very close second, as it’s one of my favorite books of the Bible to read and memorize.
Can you share a favorite moment you’ve experienced while studying for NBB or attending the National Bible Bee Competition?
I have so many amazing memories from studying for NBB during the summer/fall, attending local host groups, and reuniting with lifelong friends at the National Bible Bee Competition. The community found at each national event is one of a kind, and so is the competition. Though everyone is a competitor, there is so much encouragement and cheering on for others, as the true prize is really proclaiming God’s Word and growing closer to Him. No one is treated as an “opponent,” but a fellow competitor who is a brother or sister in Christ. With that said, my favorite moments at NBBC are the opening ceremony and semi-finals/perfect oralist announcement events, as all the contestants and their families gather to worship and celebrate the accomplishments of the qualifiers, encouraging each other even amidst any disappointment.. A core memory each year is also anxiously awaiting the start of the events and cheering together when the countdown video begins on the screens!
What would you say to a participant who is newer to NBB and/or competing at Nationals for the first time?
You can do it! I know it can definitely seem intimidating at first, but you will not at all regret your time spent studying the Scriptures and hiding the word of God in your heart. Pace yourself and create goals and habits that are best for you, and always feel free to seek help or community through a local host group or through the online social community provided by the NBB and full of people who would love to help or just be there for you! The wonderful thing about the competition is that you can be flexible and adjust things as you would like, and you are developing skills to study and examine God’s Word in so many ways! Remember that the true goal is to grow closer to the Lord and make Him known!
Interview by NBB Alumna: Rachael English
