The Network Partners team took the top prize at this year’s Warsaw Education Foundation Community Quiz Bowl on Tuesday, March 15, at Warsaw Community High School’s Tiger Recreational Activity Center (TRAC). From left: Mark Bonifield, Chris Bonifield, Tom Ray, Kaci Scheve and Taylor Bean. InkFreeNews photos by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Network Partners team came out on top at this year’s Warsaw Education Foundation Community Quiz Bowl.

The team of Mark Bonifield, Chris Bonifield, Tom Ray, Kaci Scheve and Taylor Bean bested about 50 other teams in the competition at the annual event at Warsaw Community High School’s Tiger Recreational Activity Center (TRAC) on Tuesday night, March 15.

The event was the first in-person bowl for the WEF since 2019, with COVID-19 causing 2020’s and 2021’s bowls to either be canceled or virtual.

This year’s bowl also marked the first time that participants answered questions electronically via logging into the quiz software via their phones or other devices.

Emcee Dave Baumgartner, a former Warsaw Community Schools educator and coach, still read questions for the four rounds aloud for participants. They had 30 seconds to answer each multiple-choice question, with subjects ranging from technology to 2021 events.

The teams included WCS educators, local businesses and clubs, and Warsaw city leaders. Entrance fees of $300 minimum per team helped raise $20,500 for the WEF, said its Executive Director Erin Serafino.

WEF uses the funds for such things as supporting the chess program in the WCS corporation and two rounds a year of Red Apple Grants to help WCS teachers pay for special projects for their students.

Serafino said she was grateful for the community coming together for the event and to WEF board members.

One of Paragon Medical’s teams at the event consisted of from left: Matt Hanks, Mike Gosmeyer and Janelle Weyers.

Around 50 teams participated in this year’s bowl.

The Claypool Elementary School team discusses a question. From left: Warsaw Area Career Center teacher Mark Bragg, also known as Chef Bragg; Claypool teacher Colleen Eastis; retired Claypool teacher Cindy Nash; Claypool teacher Sara Rode; and Claypool Principal Melissa Rees.