Over 400 seventh- and eighth-grade students at Valley Stream South High School participated in the National Geographic Society’s 28th Annual Geography Bee. In their social studies classes, students answered challenging questions about United States geography, geographic comparisons, physical geography, continents, world geography and cultural geography.
On Jan. 19, the 34 students who qualified (based on National Geographic’s criteria) competed in the semi-final, final and championship rounds for the honor of representing South at the New York State Competition, to be held in Albany in April.
Seventh-graders Pablo Pazmino and Yaniela Fernandez advanced to the championship round, and Pablo achieved the title of School-Wide Champion. He will take a written exam to qualify as one of 100 students in the state level Geo Bee with the prospect of moving on to the national level Geography Bee in Washington, D.C., in May. The nationwide winner will receive a $50,000 college scholarship and a lifelong membership in the National Geographic Society.
Social Studies Chairperson Michael Serif remarked, “It was heartening to see the enthusiasm of our students during the competition. A knowledge of geography is becoming ever more important as many of the jobs of the future will require students to be cognizant of the world’s diverse cultures.”
Photo: (left to right) Social Studies teacher Mr. Michael O’Brien, Pablo Pazmino, Yaniela Fernandez, Social Studies teacher Mr. Franco Visone.
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