» Local Students Win Big at Geography Bee

Local Students Win Big at Geography Bee

Students from Kittanning's Grace Christian School hold their ribbons with pride (one from his mouth) after winning big at the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) District Geography Bee. Front row: Samuel Wilson, Angel Campbell, Gavin Martin Back row: Mr. Steve Blakney, Jared Emminger, Nathan Wilson, and Logan Callen.

by Nathan Lasher

Third, fourth, and fifth grade students from Grace Christian School in Kittanning performed exceptionally in the Association of Christion Schools International (ACSI) District Geography Bee which was held on January 22.

The coordinator of the Geography Bee for Grace Christian School, third and fourth grade teacher Mr. Steve Blakney, escorted the six students from grades 3 through 5 to the District Geography Bee which was held at the Seeds of Faith Christian Academy in Indiana. Parent volunteers and spectators made the trip as well.

“We competed against two other schools,” said Blakney. “There would have been four, but there was an ice storm that day and a school from Cambria had to cancel. One school was from Dubois, and then Indiana Seeds of Faith competed as well.”

The day began with welcoming and praise and worship time. Following that, the students went to their individual grade Bees and were asked questions on geographic terms, places, names, and Biblical areas. Each of the students from Grace Christian School, Angel Campbell, Nathan Wilson, Logan Callen, Gavin Martin, Jared Emminger, and Samuel Wilson, received a ribbon in their individual grade bees.

“Each of the students did very well,” said Blakney. “They all received ribbons for their performance. Our fifth grade student, Samuel Wilson, received the highest award. He had the most answers right out of any of the students who competed. There were several tiers, and each student had two rounds of 20 questions. Each of our students was in the top couple tiers of the prizes for that.”

According to Blakney, the students used flashcards, almanacs, and geography books in order to prepare for the Bee. “There were a lot of different world and state maps and so on,” he said. “We did different practices and run-throughs where I reviewed a variety of rivers, mountains, and geographic terms such as deserts and tropical rainforests; so, some of it involved some science.”

Overall, Blakney seemed excited about with the students’ performance during the District Bee. “I was very pleased with them because no one finished in the last tier,” he said. “They got most of the questions correct, and I was very proud of them. It was a great educational experience. All of the kids got really excited, and they learned a lot about geography. The parents and staff members were very pleased.”

Local News | nlasher March 12, 2010