The National Geography Bee is in full swing. Competitions across the country began in November and late May will bring a nationwide winner.

Since its start in 1989, the National Geography Bee has been offering students across the U.S. a chance to compete for a $25,000 college scholarship and the honor of being a national champion. Having gone through seven rounds in his initial classroom competition, St. Joseph School 6th grader, Matthew Wiechec found himself in the position of representing his class in the school-wide Geography Bee competition. After a successful January 5th school-wide competition, Wiechec was declared the winner after competing against nine students ranging from 4th - 8th grade.  “I had no idea that I would have even become a semifinalist!”

Matthew has completed the next level of competition; a 70 question Geography test which will determine state competitors. Up to 100 of the top scorers in each state will be eligible to compete in their state-level Bee on April 9th. Winners of the state competitions receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the national championship rounds on May 25-26.

Before the school-wide competition, Matthew and the other semifinalists had time to prepare for the competition. Mom, JoAnn Wiechec said Matt’s studies became a family event. “Having a niece studying to become a teacher, she brought maps and quizzed the extended family at our weekly gatherings.” Additionally, Matt studied from newly purchased books along with his almanac and globe and answered test questions online.

There are many ways to study for these Bee competitions, many found by doing a search on the internet. “Geography is such a broad topic. It’s such a hodgepodge of facts,” said JoAnn. In addition to books and maps, National Geographic has an online site (www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/)to help students with practice questions.

St. Joseph’s school-wide Geography Bee semifinalists also included: 4th graders Ian Lane and Sean Thiesen, 5th graders Michael Dunn and Laura Harris, 6th grader Sophia Chaulk, 7th graders Sean Harnik and Matt Metzler, and 8th graders Paul Wagner and Ryan Walaszek.