A Special Year for OBOB

By Jillian Daley

North Marion Intermediate School students say they have always reveled in facing off against an opponent after reading stacks of paperbacks for the Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB). But, after seeing their beloved after-school activity go virtual last year, this year’s in-person event felt special.

“To be honest, after being home for so long, it’s just nice to hear people’s voices,” explained Addison Shaw, a fifth-grader.

Addison was not the only one feeling fired up about the return of live OBOB events. An unusually low number of only 10 stalwart members, including Addison, participated last year. But, as a face-to-face activity again this year, about 50 students took part in the OBOB activities: learning, reading — and competing. During OBOB, four-person teams of students vie to correctly answer the most questions (created by state officials) about a specific set of 16 books that changes each year. North Marion Intermediate School’s competition remained local as the regional and state tournaments failed to come together because of the pandemic.

Eventually, the Intermediate School’s competition came down to two teams: Sine Nomines (Latin for “without names”), a group of fifth-graders, and the Rocking Readers, a group of fourth-graders. The Rocking Readers were victorious during the March 2 final and are the Intermediate School OBOB Champions! 

The Rocking Readers (with support from the Sine Nomines) also trounced the teachers in a fun-loving local tradition in which educators match wits with students. Held this year on March 16, OBOB Adviser Jan Jones said that students and staff had a wonderful time.

“OBOB is all about camaraderie, reading new genres, and learning to compete in a friendly and respectful manner,” Jones said.

Why do so many students participate and even deign to associate with teachers? It’s not solely due to the delight of winning a series of quiz-style contests, although that’s certainly a part of it.

“Reading is really fun to me, and I get to imagine being in the books,” Rocking Reader Gianna Rose says. “With all of these other students around, it’s a really great experience. They’re really nice. OBOB is my happy place. I go here to express my feelings.”

Her teammates are Lauren Holbert (also one of the top donors to a recent American Heart Association fundraiser), Wyatt Akin (who loves “battling” in OBOB events), and Ruby Foster (who also loves the competitions and the reading).

The members of the Sine Nomines, which came close to besting the Rocking Readers, had similar reasons for loving OBOB. Jared Hernandez says that he loves participating because books open his mind, and “there’s a little movement in your mind that sparks your imagination.”

Another of the Sine Nomines, Oliver Arreola, feels the same way about books, but other aspects of OBOB that he delights in include “hanging out with friends” and attending the annual party. 

Like her other teammates and the other team, Sine Nomines member Raseel Hussein cherishes the social aspect.

“I like my team, and they’re really nice to me,” Raseel says. “They’re my friends.”

That feeling of togetherness, of hearing the voices and seeing the faces of their classmates, is an integral part of what students missed during the virtual year — a year that taught them the simple joy of being with friends. Truly, 2022 was a special year for OBOB.

To share stories on the North Marion School District, email Communications Specialist Jillian Daley at jillian.daley@nmarion.k12.or.us.