Photo caption: The 2026 winners and runners-up of the Grant County Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Awareness (DATA) Quiz Bowl pose for a photo with the competition’s “celebrity” judges. Students pictured are AJ Orr, Division 2 winner; Ben Niebauer, Division 1 winner; Evie Strong, Division 1 runner-up; and Paisley Dalrymple, Division 2 runner-up. Judges pictured are Grant County Sheriff Del Garcia, Marion Police Department Capt. Warren Dailey, and Grant County Probation Officer Mike Henson. Darla the K-9, who works with the Drug Court, also made a special appearance! (Photo provided by Marion Community Schools)

Students from around Grant County competed last week in the annual Grant County Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Awareness (DATA) Quiz Bowl, hosted by Marion Community Schools in partnership with the Grant County Drug and Alcohol Resource Team (DART).

This annual competition helps bring awareness to the risks of substance use and abuse and helps equip students to make healthy choices. It also gives participants the chance to win fun prizes!

This year’s theme was “Make a Difference. Be A Hero. Stay Drug Free.” Students in grades four through seven participated in school-level competitions in recent months, and up to two winners from each grade at each participating school advanced to the county finals, held Oct. 28 at Justice Intermediate School in Marion.

Out of the 23 competitors, the top finishers in the county finals were:

Division 1 (Grades 4 & 5)

• First Place: Ben Niebauer, Northview Elementary (Mississinewa)

• Second Place: Evie Strong, Northview Elementary (Mississinewa)

Division 2 (Grades 6 & 7)

• First Place: AJ Orr, Eastbrook Junior High

• Second Place: Paisley Dalrymple, Swayzee Elementary (Oak Hill)

Participants and their families enjoyed cookies after the competition. Every participant received a gift bag full of prizes such as coloring books, colored pencils, sensory items, swag bags from Marion Utilities, and journaling supplies in a superhero-themed drawstring bag. Winners received JBL Tune wireless headphones, a Kanoodle game, cups, and other items from our sponsors.

Participating Schools

The DATA Quiz Bowl is open to all schools in Grant County. The schools that participated this year were:

• Allen Elementary School (Marion Community Schools)

• Justice Intermediate School (Marion Community Schools)

• McCulloch Junior High School (Marion Community Schools)

• Madison-Grant Junior High

• Northview Elementary (Mississinewa Community Schools)

• Swayzee Elementary (Oak Hill School Corporation)

• Eastbrook Junior High

Additional Competitors

In addition to the top four, competitors also included:

• Allen Elementary School: Yarik Belov, Charlotte Hills

• Justice Intermediate School: Emma Everhart, Isabela Pauley, Lincoln Perez, Jude Runyan

• McCulloch Junior High: Jace Meade, Jackson Sparks

• Madison-Grant Junior High: Kallie Fierstos, Breeah Holmes, Isabella Tuite, Asher Williams, Merrick Williams

• Swayzee Elementary: Weda Beights, Eli McQuiston, Desi Stokes

• Eastbrook Junior High: Wessley Bragg, Justin Miller, Cade Kelly

If your school would like information about competing in the DATA Quiz Bowl, contact Tiffany Tracy at Justice Intermediate School at ttracy@marion.k12.in.us.

Community Support & Volunteers

Marion Community Schools is thankful to all the people, businesses, and organizations that partnered with us to help encourage healthy living in Grant County! We are also grateful for the community volunteers who helped with the county competition.

Our emcee was our own Justice Intermediate Principal Heather Rumple, who is also a board member for DART.

Our “celebrity” judges were Grant County Sheriff Del Garcia, Marion Police Department Capt. Warren Dailey, and DART Board Member and Grant County Probation Officer Mike Henson. Darla the K-9, who works with the Drug Court, also made a special appearance!

In addition, Marion Community Schools appreciates the educators and families who helped students prepare for the competition, and we are so proud of all of the students who participated in the 2026 DATA Quiz Bowl!

Thank You to Our Sponsors

• Pro Prints

• Marion Health

• Texas Roadhouse

• Bruner Dental

• Star Financial

• Marion Fire Department

• Marion Utilities

• Ruoff Mortgage

• Starbucks

• Beacon Federal Credit Union

• Mike and Patty Barney

• Kris and Cindy Leaming