As you may know, the school round of the National Geographic Bee has taken place at Park Forest Middle School recently. I, among 34 others, was competing for a spot in “states,” and eventually for “nationals.” Stress was high in the library that day, as Mrs. Billet, Mr. Pillot, read the questions, as well as several other guest proctors. Soon, the top 10 finalists were chosen from the general 35, and then the real fun began.
Every person was asked the same question, which they were to write their answers down. If you got two or more wrong, you were out. Eventually, it was narrowed down to the “top two,” or the best two geographers of the school. The top two finalists (Jason Chang and Nate Polo) were seated for the decisive victory round. Three questions were asked, and whoever answered more correctly would be the victor.
“I must say, this contest was fun, and it was also a learning experience for me,” quoth Jason Chang, the second-place winner of the Geo Bee. “Here’s all I can say, "If you run out of knowledge, take your best guess, and rely on the luck of the leprechaun,” said the prodigal sixth grader.
Congratulations to Nate Polo, the winner of this year’s National Geography Bee. Nate will be continuing on to take the test for getting into the state rounds of the Bee. Wish him luck, Park Forest.