Lake Co. students compete in National Geographic Bee
Students across Lake County took part earlier this month in the first round of the annual National Geographic Bee, with a handful in the running to win the national championship and its first prize, a $25,000 college scholarship.
In Gurnee-based Woodland District 50, school champions have been selected at Copeland Manor, Adler Park and Highland Middle schools in Libertyville. All of Copeland's and Adler's fourth- and fifth-graders, as well as all of Highland Middle School's sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, participated in a preliminary competition of the National Geographic Bee by answering oral questions on geography.
In December and January, two finalists from each elementary classroom competed to determine champions at the schools. The school champions advance to the next level of competition, a written examination to determine state competitors.
The school champion at Copeland Manor is fifth-grader Zachary Pearson, and the runner up was fourth-grader Will Bertaud. Teacher Keri Johnson performed the testing. The school champion at Adler Park is fifth-grader Ian Down. The runner-up was fifth-grader Patrick Vickers and in third place was fourth-grader Matthew Olson. Learning Center Director Erin Carr performed the testing.
Highland finals will be held this week. The Geo Bee at Highland was run by Learning Center Director Erin Wyatt. The finalists are Nick Silvis, Henry Schmidt, Alex Pagura, Rees Pillizzi, Jack Meyer, Austin Benner, Jonah Brame, Claire Ziegler, Sharon Li and Haley Skeens.
In Lake Zurich School District 95, Spencer Loomis Elementary School students also competed in the first round of the bee. Thirteen students participated; the school winner is Allison Szywala.
In Hawthorn District 73, Middle School South's bee was a highly competitive affair, with two sixth-graders facing off in the championship round. Jack Potrykus ended up as the top finisher, with Isaiah Liu as runner-up. All Middle South students took part in preliminary rounds during social studies class.
At Elementary North, fifth-grader Lukas Denner was named champion.