I went to my first quiz bowl ever and had fun. My group was full of rare and unusually named girls: Maria, Marie, Marie and Marissa. (ha, ha.) Marie McLaughlin was our captain and she was a good one.  I was surprised  how many questions I answered.  There was a question about the name of the feathers that keep birds warm.  And I answered downy feathers!  And that was correct.  Marie McLaughlin said that she knew I would know that one.  We got third out of 14 teams!!  I was so  surprised.