Diocese of Des Moines Students Win State Middle School Religion Bee
May 30, 2025
To say that it was a nerve-racking kind of afternoon, would be an understatement! On Friday, May 2 five of our diocesan Catholic school students competed in the State Diocesan Middle School Religion Bee at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids. This was the second State Religion Bee and the team from the Diocese of Des Moines came away as champions!
Each of the four dioceses sent a team. Students had competed at their own schools and then at the diocesan level to become a part of the state team. Brady Beck (St. Anthony), Macky Buyske (St. Albert), Cooper Gifford (St. Pius X), Gianna Jones (St. Luke the Evangelist), and Charlie Pease (St. Augustin) made up our diocesan team.
The State Religion Bee consists of three rounds where the teams earn points for correct answers. In the final round this year, the two teams were tied and needed one point to secure the win. The question was “Which 20th century pope, known as the ‘Smiling Pope’ served for only 33 days before his sudden and unexpected death?” The students from the Diocese of Des Moines were the first to the buzzer with the right answer of “Pope John Paul I” and secured that final point to take the championship!
Our students represented us well, and not just because they won. From their School Bee, the Diocesan Bee, and the State Bee our students have exhibited sportsmanship, encouragement, and kindness to one another and to those helping with the events. There is a genuine excitement among our students about preparing for each stage – which means they are learning much about their faith. We know they will continue to represent us well as they live out the faith they have learned so much about.