Meet Kate Russell, a 20-year-old National Bible Bee alumna from California. In her free time, she enjoys surfing and writing music. Kate says that her favorite part about where she lives is, “The variety in scenery and opportunities to travel and go on adventures”.
She first participated in the NBB at the age of 8 after her family had heard about the ministry through a newsletter. For a total of 11 years, Kate participated in the NBBC until she aged out in 2019.
Fun Facts about Kate:
-One of her favorite passages of scripture is Psalm 73:25-26 because, “It talks about how my heart and flesh will fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”.
-Kate has 3 siblings.
-She almost never wears shoes.
When asked how she balanced NBB and other responsibilities she had at the time, she answered, “It is very challenging to balance the National Bible Bee and other responsibilities at times. The key is to prioritize what you want to spend the most time on, make a good schedule, and stick to it.”
“One of the most difficult moments I have experienced in the National Bible Bee Competition was the feeling of working so hard to make it to semi-finals and never getting there after trying for eleven years,” Kate says. “While this was devastating, I realized that what I learned through all those years invested in this competition is worth so much more than what I would have ever gained through achieving my competitive goals.”
She currently works as a special needs aid in a local school district while also working on completing her freshman year in college.
“My favorite part of studying God’s Word is learning more and more about Him and who He is!” Kate says. “Memorizing God’s Word has given me a foundation of truth to stand on, and it fills me with peace and contentment. I would worry and be a lot more anxious if I didn’t have God’s Word hidden in my heart.”
When asked why she would encourage someone to join the NBB she shared, “I would encourage someone to do the National Bible Bee because it will help you establish a good work ethic. This contest encourages you to realize that even the most daunting task can be possible if you focus and put your mind to it. The National Bible Bee is also so worth participating in because of the amount of time that you are able to spend in God’s Word. It will give you a foundation unlike anything else!”
Written by NBB Alumna: Hannah Kohner
