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Students Compete at State Geography Bee

Can you name France’s chief port on the Mediterranean Sea? John Kim, a 7th grader at Oslo Middle School in Vero Beach, knew the answer. As a result, he and his teacher, Ellen Wiggins, went to Washington, D.C. at the end of May to participate in the National Geographic Bee, sponsored by the National Geographic Society and JPMorgan Chase. 

John was one of 93 students, grades 4-8, from throughout Florida who traveled to Jacksonville University on March 30 to compete in the annual state competition. Those students won their school bee and scored in the top 100 on a written test to qualify for the state Bee.  Several students were unable to attend because they were at the MathCounts competition in Orlando; one student was at the Miami Herald Spelling Bee (that person won!).  After the preliminary competition, 10 finalists were named:

Scott Amrhein-Jacksonville Heights Middle, Oviedo-Teacher Nancy Finnessy
Shiva Kangeyan- Archimedean Academy, Miami-Teacher Mr. Demopolous
John Kim-Oslo Middle, Vero Beach-Teacher Ellen Wiggins
Dylan Maltby-Cobblewood Academy, Rockledge-Home schooled
William Miller-Lake Highland Preparatory School, Orlando-Teacher John Lewis
Laura Molina-St. Mary’s School, Rockledge – Teacher Eileen Kehoe
Robert Potter-Ascension Lutheran School, Sarasota-Teacher Kurt Rosenbaum
Hugo Sabournin-St. Michael’s Independent School, Stuart- Teacher James Zacchini
Matthew Silverstein-The Bolles School, Jacksonville-Teacher Martin Coyne
Henrique Valim-St. Joseph Catholic School, Winter Haven – Teacher Gabriela Larrauri

The final competition was moderated by Jon Cannon from the Jeopardy! Clue Crew.  Jon, a former teacher, arrived from Los Angeles to ask the final questions.  This is the third year Jeopardy! Clue Crew members have assisted in the final competition. 

In addition to the trip to Washington, Florida’s winner, John Kim won a globe and $100 from the National Geographic Society.  Second place Florida winner Shiva Kangeyana 4th grader, received a globe and a cash award along with third place winner Laura Molina. 

Beth Kirk-Kent, state Geography Bee coordinator, worked with Jacksonville University’s Dr. Ray Oldakowski and Debbie Guy to make arrangements for hosting the Bee.  Participants were welcomed by Dean White, Dean of Arts and Sciences at Jacksonville University.

Next year’s state Bee will again be held at Jacksonville University.  Teachers can check out the NGS (www.nationalgeographic.com) website for details and information on how to register for the Bee. 

And the answer to the final question is:  Marseille. 

Suggested books to help students study for the Bee are the following:

National Geographic Bee Official Study Guide Updated Edition by Stephen F. Cunha.

Afghanistan to Zimbabwe:  Country Facts that Helped Me Win the National Geographic Bee by Andrew Wojtanik