Hillsdale Academy Student Advances to State in National Geographic Bee
Sixth-grader Damion Scharer to Compete March 31 in Kalamazoo, Michigan
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale Academy announces that Damion Scharer, 6th grade, won the National Geographic Bee at the school-level and has also passed a written exam and will compete in the state-level bee on March 31 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The first runner-up was Ridley Fast, 5th grade. The geography bee is part of a national competition that culminates in a chance to win a $50,000 college scholarship and trip to Galapagos Islands. Hillsdale Academy has had eight students qualify for the state-level since 2001.
Damion Scharer is the son of Heather and Dustin Scharer of Hillsdale, Mich. He also participates in the Hillsdale Academy junior high basketball team, a traveling basketball team, and the Quiz Bowl competition where his team won first place for the 6th grade group.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for all Hillsdale Academy students. We like to see a strong knowledge of the United States, including individual states, their capitals, and geography. We also emphasize the study of world geography as well as the study of maps, land masses, and the earth sciences,” said Dr. Kenneth Calvert, Hillsdale Academy headmaster. “Damion is hard-working and intelligent. We are proud and excited to see him bring his knowledge to the state-level competition.”
“The questions touched on both United States and world geography. The competition requires that students have a strong knowledge of the subject,” said Mrs. Karen Somerville, 5th and 6th grade teacher and director of the National Geographic Geography Bee at Hillsdale Academy. “Damion is a diligent and curious student. His good work in the classroom overflowed into this competition.”
Other Hillsdale Academy students who participated in this year’s school-level competition included:
4th Grade – Grayson McArthur & Sam Davis
5th Grade – Iris Millies
6th Grade – Keturah Neukom
7th Grade – Anna Roberts & Maria Birzer
8th Grade – Ryan Van Havel & Kiera Welden
The National Geographic Society is a non-profit organization whose geography bee provides an opportunity for students to challenge and increase their knowledge of geography. The winner of the state-level competition will receive a trip to Washington D.C., paid for by the National Geographic Society, where all state champions will compete for the national prize during the championship rounds on May 15-17.
Photos can be found here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rebgu93dccfh7g2/AAAswi9Nb4Sv1MUQyWI0QCSSa?dl=0
About Hillsdale Academy
Hillsdale Academy is an independent, classical K-12 day school located on the campus of Hillsdale College. A rigorous course of study is combined with the strong conviction that the biblical and classical virtues are necessary in the formation of the American citizen. The school was established out of the conviction that modern American education was in need of profound reform. More information at academy.hillsdale.edu.