Two Durango School District 9-R students qualified to compete at the state level in the 29th annual National Geographic Bee this month.
Jonah Gottlieb, a fifth-grade student at Park Elementary School, and James Storm, a sixth-grade student at Miller Middle School, tested their geography knowledge in schoolwide competitions earlier this year. The students’ victories mean they have a chance to earn a $50,000 college scholarship.
“I think at some point I just started looking at maps and decided this is kind of fun,” Jonah said.
Jonah said every morning, his dad quizzes him, and he uses the National Geographic online study app to prepare, though that hasn’t kept him from being “so nervous” about the upcoming contest in Denver.
Denise Storm, mother of James, says her son always had a knack for geography.
“James has always been an extremely eclectic child since he was born,” said Denise Storm, his mother. “He’s the type of kid who can tell you the capital of Kazakhstan. He’s just extremely intelligent.”
Jonah and James are among fewer than 100 Colorado students selected to enter the state competition after beating their school competition and taking a qualifying test.
The Colorado State Bee will be held March 31 at the University of Denver’s Sturm Hall.
“Geography is one of Jonah’s passions, and it’s really nice that this exists and he’s been able to go as far as he has with it,” said Shari Gottlieb, Jonah’s mother. “He thinks of it as a game, not so much a competition.”
One champion from each state will advance to the National Geographic Bee Championship May 14-18 at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. The National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Wild will broadcast the event the day after the competition.
Thousands of U.S. schools participate in the Bee each year, which includes students in grades four through eight.
Last year’s state champion was Cooper Hanley of Louisville.
jpace@durangoherald.com
