By Mark Ambrogi
Clay Middle School seventh-grader Mitchell Finley is getting more than a little help from his friends as he prepares for the National Geographic State Bee.
“What I probably like best about the competition is the involvement and support I gain from my teachers and classmates,” Finley said. “I have always loved geography, but the thrill of going to state is magnified many times when my lunch group asks me questions about mountain ranges, political boundaries and waterways. It is very good to know you have people behind you and ones who will engage in your experience.”
Finley is one of three Carmel residents named State Bee semifinalists by the National Geographic Society. The other two are Carmel Middle School seventh-grader Akash Bhowmik and Creekside Middle School eighth-grader Adam Zeitlin. The three students will compete March 31 with others to become the Indiana National Geographic Bee Champion at IUPUI.
Each state champion will receive $100, the “National Geographic Concise Atlas of the World, 4th Edition” and a trip to Washington, D.C., to represent his or her state May 14 to 17 in the National Geographic Bee Championship.
“I like learning about other countries, cultures, and trivia,” said Zeitlin, who added he is best at U.S. geography.
Zeitlin said he enjoys the competition and being around other students that have his same interest. To prepare for the state competition, he has been reviewing atlases and playing QuizUp, a trivia game.
Bhowmik said the best thing about the Geographic Bee competition for him is that it’s filled with surprises.
“I think I’m better at political geography than physical geography,” Bhowmik said. “This is first time I’ve gone to State Bee. What I’m looking forward to is there will be good experienced people there and it will be interesting playing them.”
Finley, whose father Todd is a colonel in the Marine Corps, said as a military child he has lived in on the West Coast and Europe.
“My father has been deployed to several places throughout the world, and he tells me about these travels,” Finley said. “I am easily able to locate or see where he is or has been on a map. Traveling and living places other than where you are familiar with definitely gives you an advantage, as it opens you up to the world, languages, political states and culture.”
