Grades 5-8: Geography Bee Challenges Students
Middle School students assembled on Thursday to watch their peers compete in the National Geographic Bee, a stepping stone to the statewide contest later this spring. Two representatives from each grade level prequalified to participate in answering questions about US and world geography. In the end, eighth grader Joaquin Abarca took home the title of Graland 2017 Geography Bee Champion.
Middle School students assembled on Thursday to watch their peers compete in the National Geographic Bee, a stepping stone to the statewide contest later this spring. Two representatives from each grade level prequalified to participate in answering questions about US and world geography. In the end, eighth grader Joaquin Abarca took home the title of Graland 2017 Geography Bee Champion.
Questions centered around US states, rivers, and economies. Students were also quizzed on their map reading skills and knowledge of US cities. It took several rounds of competition before Joaquin faced reigning champ Will Montgomery, Grade 7, in the finals. Will won the 2016 contest at Graland and placed in the top ten in Colorado last year.
To prepare for the annual contest, Joaquin spends his free time reading the news and consulting atlases. Still, he says he was “very nervous” in the final round.
"For the Colorado bee, I will continue to keep up on current events," Joaquin says. "It really comes down to luck - you might get a hard question during one round and an easy one the next. The pressure fires me up to do well when I'm on the hot seat." He speaks from experience; in 2015 Joaquin competed in the state-wide bee and placed third.
"For the Colorado bee, I will continue to keep up on current events," Joaquin says. "It really comes down to luck - you might get a hard question during one round and an easy one the next. The pressure fires me up to do well when I'm on the hot seat." He speaks from experience; in 2015 Joaquin competed in the state-wide bee and placed third.
Organized by the Middle School history department, the bee determines which student will advance to the Colorado National Geographic Bee on Friday, March 31.
“Joaquin will definitely be successful in the next round because he takes it seriously and because geography is his passion,” says Jake Dresden, history teacher. “He’s what I call a ‘professional student’ and he has both the innate skill and curiosity to do well.”
The winner will go on to the National Championship, held in May in Washington, DC. Good luck, Joaquin!
“Joaquin will definitely be successful in the next round because he takes it seriously and because geography is his passion,” says Jake Dresden, history teacher. “He’s what I call a ‘professional student’ and he has both the innate skill and curiosity to do well.”
The winner will go on to the National Championship, held in May in Washington, DC. Good luck, Joaquin!
Congratulations to these 2015 Geography Bee Contestants
Grade 5: Charlotte Corkins, Lauren Pitstick
Grade 6: Olivia Goodreau, Boss Oberlin
Grade 7: Miles Fourticq, Will Montgomery
Grade 8: Joaquin Abarca, Kieran Cebrian
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Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
