THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007
Holmes Part Of National Geographic Bee
Students at Holmes Jr. High in Mt. Prospect will participate in the annual National Geographic Bee competition today (Wednesday) beginning at 2:40 p.m. in the school's Library Resource Center (LRC).
The competition began in the school's classroom where each class participated in their own competition. Now, the students who answered the most questions right from each grade will participate in the school's competition.
According to Betsy Boswell, executive asst. and public information coordinator for School Dist. 59, approximately 10 students from sixth, seventh, and eighth grade combined will participate in the event and answer questions about World and American Geography.
Boswell said some of the questions will entail students looking at maps, while others questions will be given verbally.
"After a student misses three questions, that person will be knocked out of the competition," said Boswell. Once a school winner is decided, that student will receive a medallion and an additional gift, according to Boswell.
Additionally, the winner will take a written test, and the top 100 in the state will qualify for the state bee in the spring.
Then, the third place finisher from each state will receive $50, the second place finisher will be awarded $75, and the overall winner receives $100 and some newly published geography books.
Also, the state champs receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. for the national competition. At the national competition, the top 10 finalists are guaranteed $500. The third place finisher at the national level will receive $10,000 in college scholarships, the second place finisher will be awarded $15,000 in college scholarships and an all-expense paid trip to an exotic location usually in the western hemisphere, and the national champion will receive $25,000 in college scholarships, an all-expense paid trip to an exotic location anywhere in the world, and a lifetime subscription to "National Geographic Magazine."The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography.