LITTLE MOUNTAIN — Little Mountain Elementary School students had the opportunity to participate in the school’s National Geographic Geography Bee on January 10. There were 17 students in grades fourth and fifth that participated.

Kimberly Mack, principal of Little Mountain Elementary was the judge of the Geography Bee, while Susan Dawkins, assistant administrator, was the time keeper for the competition. Kelly Folk, literacy coach, was the score keeper, while teachers Paige Starnes and Julie Waites were moderators, asking each student questions.

Contestants were each asked a question during a preliminary competition in the school’s auditorium. Questions in the competition could range from cities, states, countries, bodies of water and anything relating to geography, according to Starnes.

The following students were participants in this year’s geography bee: Camryn Butler, Jalynn Gallman, Imani Stephens, Brayden Archey, Jack Hoffman, Bailey Hook, Gabriel Logue, Ethan Riddle, Noah Fulmer, Braeden Wessinger, Harlee Behling, Triston Alford, Emily Bates, Ashton Hobby, Emory Simpson, Jacob Spells and Sophia Abraham.

The top two students, Emory Simpson and Jacob Spells, competed in the competition round, after the other students had been eliminated. The two students were both asked the same three questions, each writing their answers down before reading them aloud. Answering the most questions, Spells was the school’s Geography Bee champion, with Simpson being first runner up and Sophia Abraham being second runner up.

“I am so proud of our boys and girls that participated in The Little Mountain Elementary’s Geography Bee,” said Mack. “Many of the questions were extremely difficult, yet our students stayed focused and persevered. I would also like to thank our teachers Paige Starnes and Julie Waites for their dedication to the Geography Bee. They provided a meaningful learning experience for our young adults.”

Spells said he was very excited to win the bee.

“I felt good that I won and got most of the questions right,” Spells said. “What helped me prepare for this was combining what I knew in fourth grade with what I have already learned in fifth grade.”

The following students were participants in this year’s geography bee (in no particular order): Camryn Butler, Jalynn Gallman, Imani Stephens, Brayden Archey, Jack Hoffman, Bailey Hook, Gabriel Logue, Ethan Riddle, Noah Fulmer, Braeden Wessinger, Harlee Behling, Triston Alford, Emily Bates, Ashton Hobby, Emory Simpson, Jacob Spells and Sophia Abraham.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_everyone.jpgThe following students were participants in this year’s geography bee (in no particular order): Camryn Butler, Jalynn Gallman, Imani Stephens, Brayden Archey, Jack Hoffman, Bailey Hook, Gabriel Logue, Ethan Riddle, Noah Fulmer, Braeden Wessinger, Harlee Behling, Triston Alford, Emily Bates, Ashton Hobby, Emory Simpson, Jacob Spells and Sophia Abraham. Courtesy photo

Jacob Spells (center) was the school’s geography bee champion. Emory Simpson was the first runner up and Sophia Abraham was the second runner up.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_winners.jpgJacob Spells (center) was the school’s geography bee champion. Emory Simpson was the first runner up and Sophia Abraham was the second runner up. Courtesy photo

Staff Report