Naples seventh-grader to
represent
DODDS schools in geography bee
By Keith Boydston, Naples bureau
Keith Boydston / Stars and Stripes
Ryan Felix, 13, a seventh-grader at the U.S. high school in Naples, Italy, will represent
DODDS schools at the National Geographic Bee finals in Washington, D.C., May 22-23. |
NAPLES,
Italy — When 13-year-old Ryan Felix talks geography, people listen — and for
good reason.
The
seventh-grader at the American High School in Naples, Italy, recently earned the right to
represent the Department of Defense Dependents Schools at the National Geographic Bee to
be held in Washington, D.C., on May 22-23.
"I’m
a little surprised that I made it [to the finals]," said the modest, freckle-faced
youngster. "But I did, and I’m excited about it and looking forward to the
finals."
The contest
is sponsored by the National Geographic Society, which has more information posted at www.nationalgeographic.com/society/ngo/geobee/
Students in
grades fourth through eighth from schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and DODDS are eligible to compete.
Ryan
qualified by winning competitions at the local, Italy District, and DODDS worldwide
levels.
He beat out
nine other DODDS students and will compete against 54 U.S. state and territory winners for
a chance to win a $25,000 college scholarship — the prize awarded to the national
champion.
"That
would certainly be nice to win," he said, trying to hide a smile.
"There’s
55 students competing, and I’m one of them. Why not me?"
The
second-place finalist earns a $15,000 scholarship and third place a $10,000 scholarship.
The
National Geographic Society will fly Ryan and his teacher-sponsor, all expenses paid, to
Washington, D.C. for the competition.
For the
13th consecutive year, Alex Trebek, host of "Jeopardy!", will moderate the
finals.
Ryan’s
interest in geography goes back to when he was just a toddler.
"When
I was like three, I loved to look at maps, all kinds of different maps," he said.
"I
guess that translated into me having an interest in geography."
As he got
older, Ryan realized that studying geography was more than just memorizing points on a
map.
"It’s
all about places in the world, the people that live there, and their history and
culture," he said.
"Memorizing
all the county seats in Florida, for example, won’t help you one bit in understanding
geography."
And Ryan is
no stranger to geography bee competition and success. As a fourth- and fifth-grader in
Fort Walton Beach, Fla., he advanced to the state finals both years.
"He’s
always had an interest [in geography], but it never really occurred to me how much ...
until he was in the fourth grade," said Elaine Gallant, Ryan’s mom.
"He
was the only fourth-grader in Florida to make it to the finals."
"We’ve
always bought him the books he was interested in," she said.
"Things
like maps and atlases of the world. He’s always enjoyed those."
For Ryan,
though, geography is more like a hobby. He's more interested in computers.
"Geography
is just sort of an interest of mine, I don’t plan on making a career out of it,"
he said.
"My
main interest is in computer programming. I’d like to design computer games."
But for
now, Ryan is focused on geography.
He must
have a wide range of knowledge, ranging from historical information to current events. To
prepare for the finals, Ryan devotes about two hours a day to studying.
"I’m
mostly reading a lot, searching the Internet, and watching the news," he said.
"It’s more about general knowledge, geographical terms and cultural
things."
Ryan’s
teachers are impressed with his knowledge and predict a good showing in the finals.
"His
geographical knowledge and understanding are great," said Luis Diaz, Ryan’s
geography teacher.
"I
think he has a good chance to do well. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him win."
Win or
lose, Ryan is looking forward to the opportunity.
"Some
of the other kids may be smarter than me, but I’ll be doing my best," he said.
"But
whatever happens, there’s always next year, right?"
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