Quiz a thrill for geography students
Sydney Reesor’s smile couldn’t have been any wider.
The Grade 6 student at Edmison Heights Public School grinned from ear to ear when she was announced as her school’s winner in the Great Canadian Geography Challenge on Monday.
“It’s very exciting,” Sydney said of her win.
The challenge is a program of Canadian Geographic magazine. It aims to engage students in geography and world events.
It’s open to students in two groups, Grades 4 to 6 and Grades 7 to 10.
The younger group gets a certificate, medal and subscription to the magazine and the older group has a chance to compete in provincials, nationals and even international challenges.
Luc Labelle, program support, started the program at Edmison Heights a decade ago.
Students answer questions in class for about eight weeks before the main event, vying for a spot in the top three to compete (a tie this year between students meant a fourth spot).
The foursome answered a series of questions in categories on the ecosystem, famous people, farming and general knowledge.
Sydney came out on top with 18 points overall.
Audra McQueen, 12, was second place, and Samantha Wotten, 11, and Erik Dervishi, 11, tied for third.
Sydney said she was nervous to get on stage in front of hundreds of kids at her school. She competed last year, but it wasn’t such a big event.
“But I got used to it as we got closer to the end and it got kind of exciting,” said Sydney, 11.
The French immersion student said she likes geography because she’s able to learn more about Canada and the rest of the world. And it helpfuls knowledge when you like to travel, too.
“I like to travel a lot, so it’s nice to know things when you go places.”