Jesse Gerlach, a first-year biology and music major from Medford, Oregon, won the 2018 Bash-Whisler Bible Reading Contest on Thurs., Feb. 8, 2018.
Students from all majors are encouraged to enter the annual contest. Established 56 years ago, student entrants select two passages of scripture, one from the Old Testament, to read aloud, and another from the New Testament, that is recited from memory. Passages are required to be at least 12 verses long. Doyle Srader, Ph.D., professor of Speech & Communications at NCU is the competition coordinator.
A pair of junior communications majors from Simi Valley, California took second and third place. Angela Cusano was the runner-up and Gianna Rains placed third.
Semifinalists were Zoe Herron, a senior English major from Olympia, Washington, and Jessica Sacker, a sophomore teacher education major from San Diego, California.
Gerlach will read or recite his Bash-Whisler passage at baccalaureate in May. All competitors received a cash award for their work and participation in the contest.