The Ripon Christian “Knights of the Roundtable” competitive civics challenge team took first out of 14 teams from as far away as the Bay Area at the annual regional contest.

The 2013 Civics Challenge took place at the Trinity United Presbyterian Church on Carver Road in Modesto. Ripon has competed for the past five years. Ripon Christian took first place in 2009, 20012 and this year. The team took second in 2011 and third place in 2010.

Ripon’s eight member team included Justin Unruh, Eric Segaar, Steve Enserink, ‘Randy Moret, Sherwin Heyboer, Heidi Hollander, Jerry Terpsma and Mark Hoeksema.  Five are current RCHS teachers, one a Ripon Christian principal, one retired RC teacher and a public school instructor in Manteca who had graduated from Ripon Christian.

The trivia included questions of American government, history and economics billed as an exciting evening of knowledge and trivia in a fun, fast-paced game show atmosphere.  The teams were presented with a variety of multiple choice civics questions with members collectively select the answers.

One question posed to the team members:

According to the U.S. Constitution, which amendment provides that powers not granted to the federal government are reserved to the people?

The 9th Amendment was the correct selection.

Another:

Which of the following Civil War generals did not fight for the Confederacy: Choices were Jackson, Burnside, Heth and Pickett. The correct response was General Ambrose Burnside.

And one that nearly stumped the Ripon team asked which version of the Bible was carried by the Pilgrims on the Mayflower?  The Geneva Bible was the correct selection in the multiple choice question.

Each member of the winning Ripon team was awarded a $100 gift certificate to Dewz Restaurant in downtown Modesto while each member of the second place team was awarded $75 gift certificates to Outback Steakhouse.  Third place team members received $50 gift certificates to Fuzio Universal Bistro in downtown Modesto.