Midvale sixth-grader wins school geography bee

Name the continent where one might find the languages Guarani and Aymara.

After about 20 rounds between fourth-grader Megan Glover and sixth-grader Kiara Fernandez, Kiara correctly answered “South America,” Dec. 9, to win Midvale Elementary’s annual geography bee.

“I had studied some going into my class geography bee, but didn’t win there, so I didn’t expect to be competing,” Kiara said.

However, when Jennifer Jarillo, who was to represent the class, became sick, Kiara stepped in.

Kiara’s teacher, Adela Huntsman cited the research and reports fifth graders do in preparation for the bee as one of the factors for Kiara’s success in the early rounds.

“This year, we have been studying ancient cultures; Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome and China,” she said. “We have used atlases and drawn maps. Some of the questions she answered on world geography correlated with the concepts we have been learning in class. She did a wonderful job.”

The top three places received atlases. Kiara received a trophy and medal while the second and third place winners received trophies. Twenty-three fourth- through sixth-graders competed school-wide.

The National Geographic Bee provided the questions. Each school bee needs to be held before Jan. 13, with rounds covering questions about United States geography, U.S. geographic comparisons, U.S. physical geography, continents, world geography and cultural geography.

By winning the school contest, Kiara is eligible to take a written, 70-question, multiple-choice qualifying test before Jan. 31.

In March, teachers of students with the top scores on the qualifying test will receive letters notifying them that their students are being invited to compete at the state level. If Kiara’s score qualifies, she will compete at state, March 30.

“She has a good memory for trivia. She is studying her new atlas to get ready for the state qualifying exam,” Huntsman said.

Third-place finisher was fourth-grader Giovanni Gonzalez. Giovanni said he had prepared for the bee by studying an hour every day.

“My dad quizzed me and I knew so many of the answers,” he said. “I like math, geography and reading atlases so I know more about the world. I’ve learned so much about different places and countries. I’d like to see the leaning tower of Pisa. And France looks like a really beautiful place.”

His mother, Jami, said that this is her son’s first academic award.

“This has really helped his confidence and knowledge,” she said. “He’s worked really hard and he loves learning things. He is excited to learn more about the world.”