Eugene 7th-grader wins geography bee.Byline: Jim Feehan The Register-Guard Eugene seventh-grader Sam Brandt knows his place in the world. And a few others. The 12-year-old brandished his geographic prowess to win the 16th annual Oregon Geographic Bee at Western Oregon University History Originally established in 1856 by Oregon pioneers as "Monmouth University", a private college, and later merged with another private institution (Bethel College near Rickreall) to become "Christian College. in Monmouth. Competing in his fourth straight state geography bee, Brandt is a seasoned veteran in the contest of quick recall of geographic tidbits TidBITS is an award-winning electronic newsletter and web site dealing primarily with Apple Computer and Macintosh-related topics. Internet publication TidBITS has been published weekly since April 16, 1990, which makes it one of the longest running Internet publications. . The Roosevelt Middle School student won last year's event and placed fourth two years ago. Brandt hopes to come back next year for a three-peat, he said Saturday. To win, Brandt correctly answered the question: ``In 1997, a volcano destroyed the capital city of Plymouth on which Caribbean island?'' (The answer: ``Montserrat.'') "It was really a big deal when it happened," Brandt said. Brandt walked away with $100 and an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Geographic Society National Geographic Society U.S. scientific society founded in 1888 in Washington, D.C., by a small group of eminent explorers and scientists “for the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge. finals on May 25-26 in Washington, D.C. Last year, he finished sixth at the national competition. "Last year's experience gave me lots of confidence going into this year's competition," said Brandt, who wants to be a sports broadcaster when he grows up. Each year, the society sponsors geography contests in all 50 states, said Randy Jamerson, spokesman for the Oregon Geographic Bee. Schools quiz their students on topics such as ZIP codes, current events and locations throughout the world. The competition is open to fourth- through eighth- graders. Brandt's parents - Jonathan and Sara Brandt - lent a hand by peppering their son with questions from a quiz book, he said. Studying several geographic areas and having faith in his abilities also helped, Brandt said. A hundred students qualified for the state tournament, and four of the 10 finalists were from Eugene. "It's a great thing for Eugene. It just shows we know what's going on Verb 1. know what's going on - be well-informed be on the ball, be with it, know the score, know what's what know - know how to do or perform something; "She knows how to knit"; "Does your husband know how to cook?" in the world," Brandt said. In second and third place in Friday's competition were R. Thomas Young Noun 1. Thomas Young - British physicist and Egyptologist; he revived the wave theory of light and proposed a three-component theory of color vision; he also played an important role in deciphering the hieroglyphics on the Rosetta Stone (1773-1829) Young , an eighth-grader at St. Cecilia School in Beaverton, and McKenzie W. Read, a fifth-grader at Charlemagne at Fox Hollow in Eugene. Read finished tied for fourth in last year's event. Young won $75 and Read $15. All three also took home globes. The other finalists from Eugene were Robert O. Snowden, who attends Spencer Butte Spencer Butte is a prominent landmark in Lane County, Oregon, United States, south of Eugene. The peak has an elevation of 2055 feet[1] (626 m). Spencer Butte is accessible from Spencer Butte Park and has several hiking trails to the summit. Middle, and William H. Cook, who attends the HomeSource charter school. The National Geographic Bee The National Geographic Bee (previously called the National Geography Bee) is an annual geography contest sponsored by the National Geographic Society. The Bee, held every year since 1989, is open to students in the fourth through eighth grade in participating American , moderated by ``Jeopardy'' host Alex Trebek George Alexander Trebek (born as Giorgi Suka-Alex Trebek [1] on July 22, 1940) is an Emmy Award-winning Canadian-American television personality and game show host, best known as the host of the game show Jeopardy! since September 10, 1984. , will be held at the society headquarters in Washington. The Associated Press contributed to this report |
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