Meet Emma Fernandez, a member of the 2024 National Bible Bee Alumni Service Team!
Here are some quick facts to help you get to know Emma:
Where she’s from: Fort Worth, TX
Age: 18
Fun Facts:
- Emma has one sibling, a younger sister who is 11 years old
- She enjoys bird watching and hiking, and loves to stop and identify wildflowers along the way
- She has one pet, a gray tabby cat
- Playing and listening to music is one of her favorite pastimes
- She loves traveling to National Parks and will be visiting four of them this summer
- Emma is a bibliophile and enjoys classical fiction
What she is doing now as an alumna/graduate:
- Emma is in college right now pursuing a double major in Music (piano) and English Literature.
- She is also a piano teacher and enjoys teaching and sharing God’s gift of music with others, and she also works at her local Chick-fil-A.
Besides being a member of the Alumni Service Team this year, Emma plans to be heavily involved in her local host group along with some other alumni in her area. She hopes to be a help and encouragement to all the participants and share in the blessings of fellowship and group study.
Favorite Hobbies:
Besides reading and playing the piano, which may be deduced by her choice of majors, Emma loves creating art and specifically enjoys calligraphy and hand lettering, and watercolor painting.
Welcome Emma! It’s so neat to hear how God is using your gifts and love for him to bless others. I’m excited to hear more about your NBB journey!
How long have you participated in the National Bible Bee? How many years have you qualified for the National Bible Bee Competition (NBBC) and/or made it past the preliminary rounds?
I participated in NBB for a full 12 years (2012-2023). By God’s grace, I qualified for NBBC for 10 years (2014-2023), made it to the semi-final rounds the first few years (2014-2018), and the final round once (2015).
It is so inspiring how you have put in that kind of time into Bible study and memorization. What a blessing to have all those years invested into God’s Word! How has participating in NBB/studying God’s Word has impacted your life?
Being a participant of the NBB has impacted my life in so many ways. I have so much of God’s Word hidden in my heart because of memorizing in all my years as a NBB participant, which I can recall at any time for wisdom, advice, consolation, and comfort.
Besides the benefits of studying and memorizing for NBB, the community aspect has also been a highlight for me, both at summer study meetings and at the NBBC. Fellowshiping and growing friendships with others who are passionate about growing more in the Lord and learning about Him and His Word has been an important aspect of being involved in the NBB.
That’s amazing! And sometimes it’s at the most unexpected moments that God will bring a verse to mind that you have memorized. God’s Word truly never returns void! Being in a community centered around God’s Word is also so important and encouraging because you get different thoughts and perspectives on the Bible and it can help you stay motivated to keep studying.
Do you have a favorite memory from participating in the National Bible Bee Competition?
One of my favorite times at the National Bible Bee Competition (NBBC) is gathering together during the opening ceremony to celebrate all the qualifiers, worship with everyone, and watch the 5-minute countdown video to kick off the competition!
That’s one thing that makes The National Bible Bee Competition such a great experience, everyone is encouraging and cheering each other on! What is one encouragement you would give to someone to participate in the National Bible Bee?
Keep persevering and seeking the true reward that is in heaven! No matter what your goals and aspirations regarding the competition are, you are storing up God’s Word in your heart, and growing closer to Him in your studies. The Lord is so good, and He delights in His children who take the time to study and soak in His Word. Try your best and leave the results to the Lord! Your work will not return back void!
Interview by NBB Alumna: Tori Hoverson
