Springfield student is heading to Harrisburg for Pa. geography bee
SPRINGFIELD » Thirteenyear-old Danny Niklauski, a seventh-grade student at E.T. Richardson Middle School in the Springfield School District, is studying hard this week. He hopes to beat competitors from all over Pennsylvania in the National Geographic State Geography Bee at The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg today.
This is the second level of the National Geographic Bee competition, which is now in its 30th year. Sometime between Oct. 2, 2017, and Feb. 2, 2018, geography bees were held throughout the state n local schools with fourth- through eighth-grade students to determine each school champion. At E.T. Richardson, social studies teachers administered a 15-question geography test to students in grades 6, 7 and 8. The top ten test performers were chosen to be in the school’s geography bee.
Danny, who received a perfect score on the test, also became the schoolwide champion of the bee. He then took a qualifying test for the state bee. When Richard Turturici, the eighth-grade social studies teacher at E.T. Richardson, administered the test, he told Danny that it would take about 20 minutes to complete. Danny said that he was done in 13 minutes. He received a perfect score on that test, too, enabling him to attend today’s state geography bee. All statelevel geography bees will be held across the nation on April 6.
“I’ve been studying so I am not super worried,” said the local junior geographer. “I can’t say that I am extremely confident, but I do feel ready.”
If he wins, Danny will advance to the national geography bee to be held at National Geographic Society Headquarters, Washington, D.C., May 20-23. The young geographer would compete against 100 topscoring champions from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense Dependents Schools and U.S. territories, for about $85,000 in college scholarships and prizes. About three million students from across country vie for the finalist slots in Washington. Last year, 14-year-old Pranay Varada of Texas won the national title and 14-year-old Thomas Wright of Wisconsin was named the secondplace winner.
Danny’s parents, Ann and Dennis Niklauski of Springfield, will accompany their son to Harrisburg, along with his Aunt Susan Rumbaugh of Ridley Township. Ann is a Registered Nurse and Dennis is employed by United Parcel Service. The immediate Niklauski family also includes daughter Kelly, 28, and son Alex, 30. Although his siblings cannot physically be there, Danny said that they are genuinely happy that he was accepted to the state round for the second year in a row.
Last year, when Danny was a sixth-grader, he made it to the runner-up position in the state bee. He missed earning the state champ title by one question. The single question that tripped him up was “What country, known for its sheep shearing, also is known for its many fjords?” Danny answered “New Zealand,” but the correct answer was “Iceland.”
Danny said that he gained his extensive knowledge of geography by reading a lot of history books, playing map games on the Internet and soaking in the information presented by his seventh-grade social studies teacher, Madison Weary. He said his penchant for geography began at age 6 when his grandmother, the late Jean Niklauski, gave him a world globe for his birthday.
“Honestly, I have always been a big fan of history and politics and in order to understand both of those subjects, you have to know geography so that has pushed me to learn it as well,” Danny stated.
In addition to being a history and geography buff, Danny is on the distinguished honor roll and is a member of the National Junior Honors Society. He runs track and serves on student council. In his leisure time, he enjoys reading philosophy and history books, playing video games, hanging out with friends and being active at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Springfield. When he grows up, he hopes to be a politician. Danny has been in the gifted program at school since he was in second grade.
“I couldn’t be any prouder,” mom Ann beamed when talking about her son’s opportunity to compete at the state level. “I am thrilled by all of Danny’s accomplishments. He shows great leadership and maturity in everything he does.”
“I’m just very proud to represent Springfield and Delaware County at the next level,” Danny added. “I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”