Submitted Photo Caleb Hoverson, Burlington, won $100,000 in the National Bible Bee Game Show, which was filmed in January 2016 in San Antonio, Texas.

Caleb Hoverson won $100,000 in the National Bible Bee Game Show, but he hasn’t been able to tell anyone until now.

Hoverson, 19, from Burlington, won first place in the game show, which was filmed in January 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. He had to sign a non-disclosure agreement to stay silent about his winnings until after the game show finally aired.

“A lot of people are thrilled,” said Hoverson, who was finally able to reveal his good fortune after the game show aired during a special showing of the episode on Tuesday night at Living Word Lutheran Church. It was all the more special for the people at church who have supported him this past year while he battled some medical problems.

Hoverson said he will receive his winnings in the form of about $45,000 in scholarship money and $55,000 in cash. He plans to spend some of his winnings on a college education at Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Va. Hoverson has taken some classes there via long-distance and will be living on campus when the new semester starts in August. If there is anything left over after he finishes college, Hoverson said he will apply the remainder to tuition at a seminary. He hopes to become a minister like his father, Jeff Hoverson, who is the pastor at Living Word Lutheran Church.

He said he will invest the rest of the award money and use it for the future. It might be useful if he one day wants to launch his own business, he said.

“It’s a nice problem to have,” he said.

Hoverson studied the Bible for five hours a day in preparation for the national Bible Bee competition and for up to seven hours a day before the finals.

“It was pretty much a job,” he said.

Since Hoverson and his two younger sisters, Lydia and Victoria, were all home-schooled by their parents, Rev. Jeff Hoverson and JoAnn Hoverson. They also benefited from Bible study during their school years.

“We integrated the Bible into our school work,” he said.

Hoverson said his sisters both competed in the junior division of the National Bible Bee. Their episodes will air in the coming weeks. He is not allowed to say how they did until the episodes air.

Hoverson said the Bible Bee was a huge influence on his spiritual life.

“The biggest prize for me has been God’s word,” he said.

Hoverson’s winning episode can still be seen until Tuesday on Facebook Live on ChristianCinema.com

Hoverson said people can also apply to enter upcoming Bible Bee competitions. The competition showcases Bible-verse memory and applied Bible study.

Prairie Profile is a weekly feature profiling interesting people in our region. We welcome suggestions from our readers. Call Editor Mike Sasser at 857-1959 or Regional Editor Eloise Ogden at 857-1944. Either can be reached at 1-800-735-3229. You also can send e-mail suggestions to msasser@minotdailynews.com.