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In an ongoing effort to encourage the teaching and study of geography, the National Geographic Society established its National Geographic Bee, and Jacobsen Middle School has been participating for the last two years according to educator Don Thiesse.

This year, 16 JMS students entered the competition where Thiesse was joined by Dan Moon in asking questions such as: Dresden, a city that has been rebuilt since World War II, is situated on what river? Or, name the two large islands separated by the Strait of Bonifacio? Do you know what city is the judicial capital of South Africa? 
Please keep in mind that the contestants were not given multiple choice answers, but had to know the answer without any clues! Two wrong answers at the end of a round resulted in a contestant being sent back to class.

Of the original 16 contestants, five made it to the final round where only two subsequently made it to the championship round.

This year's emerging champion was Tanner Muro with Alexis Bartels coming in second. Jessica Burke placed a respectable third.

Muro will be scheduled for a written test at JMS in the near future to determine whether or not he continues on in the state level competition.

 
“Only the top 100 compete at state level,” Thiesse explained. “Winners at the state level then compete at the Nationals in Washington, D.C. in May.”

Bee registration is open to schools and home-school associations with students in grades four through eight who are not over the age of 15 by the time of the  nationals. The schools and/or homes-school associations must be registered with the Bee. Eligible students also must be following school schedules and academic course loads comparable to the majority of the student's grade-mates and age-mates. Students may not be enrolled in more than three academic courses at the high school and/or college level during each school year of the competition.