Shanley High School hosts state-wide Know Your Faith Competition

School spirit is never in short supply in Shanley High School’s McCormick Gymnasium in Fargo. Legendary contests and great moments of triumph have come and gone over the years. The competition on Feb. 2, was no exception.

Flashing lights, blaring music, home and visiting teams’ fans decked out in their alma mater’s regalia? Check. Organized chants and cheers from the student body urging their team forward? Check. However, the competitors squared off not to dribble and shoot, serve, and spike this time. It’s Catholic Schools Week, and they came to engage in a battle of the minds at the regional Know Your Faith Competition.

The Know Your Faith competition traces its origins to 2010 in the Bismarck Diocese’s Catholic schools. The founders aimed to showcase students’ talents beyond athletics and proudly embrace our Catholic identity in education. It has since expanded to a statewide competition, with Shanley High School (Fargo), St. Mary’s Central High School (Bismarck), Bishop Ryan High School (Minot), Trinity High School (Dickinson), and Sacred Heart High School (East Grand Forks, Minn.) participating.

Last year, Shanley’s sophomores Jacob Mayo, Giovanni Nasello, and Keagan Walker brought home the trophy from Bishop Ryan in Minot. Shanley hosted the competition this year, the theme being “Rome 64 AD.” St. Mary’s captured its 6th state championship in convincing fashion, correctly answering Bishop Folda’s final question on the pope-saint who first used the motto “Servant of the Servants of God” (Pope St. Gregory the Great). The Shanley team of sophomores Charlie Bernhardt, Malachi Moore, and Rachel Seefeldt finished in 4th place.

A hearty congratulations to St. Mary’s on their winning the title this year, and a special thank-you to the Shanley student body for being gracious and enthusiastic hosts. We’ll see you at Trinity High School in Dickinson next year!