Much like a spelling bee, a school geography bee can create a buzz. There’s a chance to qualify for state and national competitions at stake, after all.
Thousands of schools nationwide take part in the annual National Geographic Bee, leading up to a national championship in Washington, D.C., according to the National Geographic Society, which provides materials for the bees.
Mokena Junior High School, one of the Southland schools taking part, held its 23rd annual geography bee Friday.
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The process begins with students taking a 70-question, multiple-choice exam in social studies classes in December. Ten semifinalists then were selected for Friday’s bee. Giving two incorrect answers resulted in elimination, and the last student standing was seventh-grader Jacob Lee.
“I like competing against others,” Lee said.
School champs must take an online qualifying test by Feb. 5, and the 100 highest-scoring students in Illinois will advance to the state bee. State competitions are set for April 1, and nationals are to take place from May 22 to 25 in Washington, D.C., according to National Geographic. First prize at nationals includes a $50,000 college scholarship.
At Mokena Junior High, the bee is backed by tradition.
“Over the years, this has become a very big deal at our school,” bee coordinator and social studies teacher Victoria Albon said. “It is very exciting for the students participating, yet it is also a very serious event. The entire school, faculty and parents are invited but are given strict rules to remain quiet and not to shout out any answers.”
The other semifinalists at the school were sixth-grader Alex Culver, seventh-grader Anna Bethke, and eighth-graders A. J. Mistro, Max Pignotti, Trey Underwood, Zach Ward, Kylie White, Mathias Woerner and Jeffrey Yambao.
“I was nervous to be a part of the geography bee but also excited,” Woerner said. “I think it’s also a fun event for the school.”
Mistro came in second place and Bethke finished third.
“I like how it brings the whole school together and everyone enjoys it,” Bethke said.
“The geography bee is unique, as it is the only whole-school academic competition that our students are eligible to engage in,” Albon said. “The students look forward to it every year. Some students create signs and banners for their favorite contestant.”
In 2002, eighth-grader Parnell Dean made it to nationals.
“It was very exciting to have someone from our junior high school go on to the national level,” administrative secretary Cheryl Paben said.
The national bee has been held every year since 1989 and is open to students in fourth through eighth grades in participating U.S. schools.
Kelly White is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.