Favorite Memorized Passage

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Honors and Accomplishments

• Athens New Year's Classic Champion (2012, 2013)
• CI Champion (2013, 2015)
• SCQANIT Champion (2013)
• AACS Champion (2013)

Cat Smith first stepped into the world of Bible Quizzing in 2008, a choice that would go on to shape her high school years and her life thereafter. Quizzing with Hillsdale Baptist Church in Florida under the guidance of the Barbers, Cat and her brother Bobby established themselves as one of the greatest sibling duos in Bible Quiz history.

Their incredible chemistry, dedication to the Word, and fierce competitive spirit resulted in Hillsdale sweeping all 4 major tournaments over Acts in 2013 – a truly spectacular accomplishment. I vividly remember watching Cat and Bobby interact on the quiz pads and thinking, “THIS is how team chemistry should look.” During 2013, Cat was the steady hand that brought Hillsdale success. Bobby quizzed out? Didn’t matter. Like an elite baseball closer, Cat was there to calmy wrap up the quiz and ensure Hillsdale got the win.

While many quizzers - including myself - thought we’d have an easier time quizzing against Hillsdale after Bobby graduated, that simply wasn’t the case. Cat took the reins and led Hillsdale to another major tournament victory in 2015 at the Colorado Invitational. Her energy, leadership, and passion were on full display during this extremely challenging tournament and throughout her senior year.
Reflecting on her quizzing career, Cat attributes her success to consistency, discipline, and faith. She was diligent about being in the material every day, memorizing and quoting Scripture. She also sought out as much competition as possible, quizzing against teams that were stronger than hers in order to improve. But above all, Cat relied on God’s strength. He helped her overcome her nerves during competitions and recall the Scriptures she had studied. In her view, the success her team enjoyed was a combination of hard work, God’s blessings, and the memories they made along the way.

Not only was Cat a leader on the quiz chairs, but she was also a major light in the Bible Quiz community outside of the competition. Cat and her teammates were always quick to include others in their post-quizzing hang outs and activities. Their camaraderie and team energy were infectious, and Cat was the driving force behind it. This dynamic between Cat and her Hillsdale teammates off the quiz chairs was a major inspiration to me and many others of how to encourage and support fellow quizzers outside of the day’s competition.

By the time she graduated high school in 2015, Bible Quizzing had become more than just a competitive event for Cat—it was an experience that prepared her for adulthood. The skills she gained, such as handling pressure and overcoming anxiety, have been invaluable. The stress of major quizzing tournaments, she says, is difficult to match. But those moments taught her how to stay calm under pressure, a lesson she has carried into both her ministry work and everyday life.
One of the most lasting impacts of Bible Quizzing on Cat’s life was the way it deepened her relationship with God. Though she can’t recall every verse she memorized, she still remembers the essence of many chapters and knows where to find passages when she needs guidance. The time she spent memorizing Scripture during her quizzing years continues to serve her, whether in her personal spiritual journey or when counseling others.

If Cat could offer one piece of advice to today’s Bible Quizzers, it would be to have fun and make friends. As Cat learned, building friendships with other teams takes much of the pressure off the tournament nerves and creates lasting memories. The friendships she formed during Bible Quizzing remain some of the most valuable relationships in her life today.
Bible Quizzing, for Cat, was a one-of-a-kind experience. It gave her the chance to travel, compete, and form friendships that have lasted a lifetime. More importantly, it deepened her faith and left her with a reservoir of Scripture that she still draws from today. For all these reasons, Cat is deeply grateful for her time in Bible Quizzing.
To close, Cat has left a legacy of excellence both on and off the quiz chairs. I am extremely thankful to have quizzed against her, and it is my honor to induct her in the Bible Quiz Hall of Fame!