News Story by Abi Brownell

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous News Stories | Send mail to The Voice Sophomore wins Bible scholarship Steven Marquardt, far left, answers a question on his way to winning the Lonie Friesen-Tucker Scholarship. -Mike Richeson, photo Each year seven scholarship finalists compete for fame and fortune during the Annual Lonie Friesen- Tucker Memorial Scholarship final. This year's first place finisher is Steven Marquardt, who took top honors and $1,000 dollars for tuition. The oral Bible knowledge final is an exciting experience for these finalists. Many did not expect to do as well as they did. Even Steven himself assumed that a senior would win. The finalists are chosen based on how they score on the preliminary Bible quiz. "I didn't expect to do that well. I almost didn't even take the test," Melanie Fortin, one of the finalists, said. Melanie feels that the Bible courses she takes here at MBC are responsible for her high score. "I felt it was pretty challenging but I knew a lot of the answers just from learning I've done in recent Bible classes. I've learned a lot." Daniel Ryan agrees. "The Bible courses here at MBC have really been helpful in honing in what knowledge I already had. And it shows in the placing, as each year I do better and better on the quiz," he said. Aaron Blazis, second-place finisher agrees with Melanie and Daniel that MBC Bible classes have been tremendously helpful: "All the Bible classes I've taken here are my favorite classes. Profs like Friesen, Lubeck, and Kutz all give a real 'big picture' outlook to the scriptures." Because it is administered in front of the entire school, many finalists find the oral exam to be nerve-wracking. "I was very nervous about that," Melanie said. "I'm not an up-front type of person." Money is a concern for many MBC students, and these finalists are no exception. "I've spent the last of my savings here at Multnomah," Melanie said. "Having debt hanging over my head would be wrong. I see this opportunity as God saying 'You need this money.' I really appreciate that MBC has this scholarship available--especially because there's no huge essay you have to write to win the money!" Could the secret of Bible knowledge be the generic apple-cinnamon oat cereal that Steven ate before the oral final? Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps Aaron knows the real secret: "Honestly, it's that I love the Bible. I love reading it; I love the story. The Bible knowledge has stuck because of that." Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous News Stories | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2004 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.