Students map out geography answers

Which U.S. state has tropical rain forests? The Cape of Good Hope is located on the southwestern coast of which continent? The longest river in New England shares its name with which state?

Twenty-five students at Central Junior High School in Cape Girardeau fidgeted, scrunched up their faces and a few even put their heads down on the table when asked questions like these at the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on Tuesday.

"Some of the questions are very difficult," admitted seventh-grade social studies teacher Cathy Huskey, who oversaw the event. "It's what we teach in the classroom, but it's also general knowledge, too. Usually the ones who watch the Discovery Channel and National Geographic do well."

After the hourlong event, seventh-grader Taylor Kirn was crowned the school champion, answering the final question -- that the Bering Sea was where the Yukon River empties -- correctly.

When asked if she studies geography much, Kirn, who said she usually makes all A's, acted as if it comes naturally for her: "I study for tests and things," she said.

Kirn will take another test to see if she qualifies to go to Jefferson City to participate in the state championship. Fourth- through eighth-graders throughout the area are competing in similar bees, including another one Tuesday night at Cape Girardeau Middle School.

Each year, thousands of schools participate across the United States. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, awaken student interest in the subject and increase public awareness about geography.

The National Geographic Bee occurs in three stages, beginning at the school level. After the school level, the top 100 scorers in each state compete in the spring. The winner of each state bee proceeds to the national level, where the number of finalists is narrowed to 10. Those 10 compete for a $25,000 college scholarship.

The answers to the questions in the first paragraph, by the way, are: Hawaii, Africa and the Connecticut River.

smoyers@semissourian.com

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