Luke Jarvis, a seventh grader at St. Charles Borremeo Catholic School in Picayune, was recently named a semifinalist in the Mississippi National Geographic State Bee.
Leigh Chapman, who teaches sixth and seventh grade science and social studies, said this was the first year the school competed in the bee.
“The bee is open to students in grades fourth through eighth,” Chapman said. “A competition was held in each class and the top student from each class competed in front of the entire school.”
Jarvis, who is the son of Eric and Melissa Jarvis, took a written test, which included multiple choice and essay questions, Chapman said. The top 100 students in Mississippi will compete at the 2015 Mississippi National Geographic State Bee at the Clyde Muse Center in Pearl, Miss. on Friday, March 27.
The winner of this event will travel to Washington D.C. represent the state in May, Chapman said.
According to a National Geographic press release, each state champion will receive $100, the “National Geographic Atlas of the World, 10th Edition,” a medal and a trip to Washington D.C. to represent their state in the National Geographic Bee Championship to be held May 11 through 13.
The national champion will receive a $50,000 college scholarship, lifetime membership in the Society and an all expense paid trip to the Galapagos Islands, the release states. The National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD will air the national championship final round, moderated by journalist Soledad O’Brien on Friday, May 15 at 8 p.m. eastern time.
The questions cover a wide variety of topics, including sports, United States and international geography and entertainment, Chapman said.
An example question mentioned in the press release was, Disney’s blockbuster movie “Frozen” is set in the fictional land of Arendelle, which was largely inspired by the country of Norway. Norway is located on which European peninsula? The answer is the Scandinavian Peninsula.
“I’m very proud of Luke,” Chapman said. “He loves geography and he was one of the reasons why we entered the bee this year. Every day the National Geographic website posted a question of the day and he was always eager to know what it was. He is an excellent student and looks for a lot of knowledge outside of school.”
Chapman said that the bee is open to all students, including homeschooled groups. However, there must be a minimum of eight participants.
Learn more about the National Geographic Bee at www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee.