Middle School Student Returning to State Geography Competition
A Woodland Middle School seventh grader is returning for the second year to compete at the state level for the National Geographic Bee. The bee will be held on April 6 at Illinois State University in Normal.
Kenith Taukolo earned the school geography title for the second time in January. He then took a qualifying test which was submitted to the National Geographic Society. The Society has invited up to 100 of the top-scoring students in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense Dependents Schools and U.S. territories to complete in the state bees.
"Many people think geography is about maps, but it is so much more. Students learn about conservation, preservation, history, and science as well. The competition allows students like Kenith to demonstrate their knowledge in so many ways," said Don Proft, a Middle School social studies teacher who has taught Kenith and works with social studies instructor Paul Durietz to organize the school geography contest.
Having worked with the Middle School competition since the early 1990s, Durietz said Kenith is the first Woodland student with two consecutive school wins and two consecutive opportunities at the state level. As a sixth-grade competitor last year, Kenith Taukolo scored a perfect 8 of 8 in the preliminary round at the state competition before placing 17th overall.
One champion from each state and territory will advance to the National Geographic Bee Championship, which will be held May 20-23 at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. Transportation and accommodations for the Washington, D.C. trip are provided for each state champion and one parent/guardian.
The winner at the national level receives a $50,000 scholarship, a lifetime subscription to National Geographic magazine, a trip, and $500 cash. The 2nd place winner receives a $25,000 scholarship and $500 cash. The third place winner receives a $10,000 scholarship and $500 cash. The 4th -10th place winners receive $500 cash each.