Love, the Players

Today is a day for us to show our appreciation for those we love. We all have our reasons for loving quiz bowl, but here are ours.

To Quiz Bowl,

We joined for the knowledge and the competition, for learning and for the victories at tournaments. Admittedly, some of us joined for the resumes too.

But you've become become a whole different world that we love. Let us count the ways.

1. The knowledge.

Let's start with the obvious. We've learned a lot through the game, on everything from German reunification to quantum mechanics. We've always loved the pursuit of knowledge, and the satisfaction we've gained from each power from something I looked up, or each 30d bonus, is the thrill we love, and the thrill that keeps us coming back.

2. The competition.

The chase for victory drew us in after my first tournaments, and it's the thrill that's kept us in the game since. It's a friendly rivalry. In game, you inspire our intense competition and our emotional battles over questions. Outside of the game, you inspire shared notes, study sessions, and a camaraderie in our arms races towards victory that's created so many friendships.

3. The friends we <3.

Our teammates have become some of our closest friends, as we study together, compete together, and become immersed in the game together. But that friendship and closeness has extended past our schools and to my counterparts throughout the game. No matter what school we're from, or our backgrounds, we're united by our love for the game, by our desire to see it grow, and by our drive for knowledge.

4. The skills.

Not the quiz bowl skills, but the life skills. Quiz bowl has developed our skills on everything from leadership to communication, all through sharing the game we love. Outreach means communicating what the game is about, and running a tournament means working with teammates and other teams so that everything runs perfectly. In game, We've learned how to work my teammates to make sure we all perform our best and stay focused along the way.

5. The community we <3, and the one that <3 us back.

Friends are a big part of the community, but the community has reached beyond that small group. There are so many mentors and role models, who, with their infinite patience and willingness to help, have eased our transitions into the higher levels of quiz bowl. Fellow players have, through competition, inspired us to improve, yet are always willing to help, whether it be by bringing extra buzzers, or a moderator, or giving tips on how to study or run a tournament.

Quiz bowl, thanks for thanks for all the laughs at our hangouts, the memories of our late night study cramming, the friends we made. Thank you for everything.

Love,

The Players

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Happy Valentine's Day from NJQBA!

By Carolyn Meng, Livingston