LIHU‘E — Island School eighth-grader Andrew Anderton is headed back to the National Geographic Bee in Washington, D.C., for the second time in three years. Two weeks after Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School eighth-grader Akira Takabayashi was crowned champion of the
LIHU‘E — Island School eighth-grader Andrew Anderton is headed back to the National Geographic Bee in Washington, D.C., for the second time in three years.
Two weeks after Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School eighth-grader Akira Takabayashi was crowned champion of the 2013 Hawai‘i State Spelling Bee, Andrew made his own mark on the state and nation — again — by winning the 2013 Hawai‘i Geographic Bee.
“There’s something in the water,” Andrew’s father, Jon, joked.
Forty-seven schools from around the state were represented Saturday at the Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. In the final round, Andrew correctly answered two of his three final questions to secure the win.
The questions included: Niagra-on-the-Lake, which played a central role in the War of 1812, is located in which Canadian province? (Ontario); Which Russian city, home to the Hermitage Museum, lies on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland? (St. Petersburg); One of the largest coal importers in the world is an Asian constitutional monarchy that is made up of many islands. Name this country. (Japan).
Andrew will travel to Washington in late May for the finals of the 25th National Geographic Bee. The top 10 national finalists will compete live on TV with Jeopardy host Alex Trebek for a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society.
In 2011, Andrew represented Hawai‘i on the national stage, but fell just short of the televised finals. Last year, he was unable to make it past the Island School bee.
“We were a little concerned that he was really at the top of his game two years ago,” Jon said. “He was a little disappointed last year not getting past the school level.”
Today, Andrew is back on top and excited about returning to the national competition.
“The first time I was there, I didn’t know how things worked,” Andrew said. “Now that I’ve been there, I know what to be prepared for.”
Unable to find time during his last trip, Andrew said he plans to visit a number of sites while in Washington, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian, Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Jon said his son became interested in geography at a young age and held on tight.
“I think it started when we got him one of those interactive globes when he was five,” Jon said. “It just went on from there. … He’s got a good memory and he just loves geography.”
Andrew said he enjoys both the physical and political aspects of the subject and is most interested in the culturally-diverse islands found in the Pacific Ocean. If he could chose one, Andrew said he would like to visit Easter Island, one of the world’s most isolated inhabited islands located at the southeasternmost point of the Polynesian Triangle.
“(I’m) amazed by the history,” he said.
For the next six weeks, Andrew will continue studying for the national competition using a number of books, atlases and online resources, as well as taking daily geography quizzes posted on the National Geographic website.
“You have to know so much,” Jon said. “We’re so proud of him.”
Andrew said he is “excited” to represent Hawai‘i on the national stage and hopes more Kaua‘i schools get involved in state bee.
“People should pay attention to the geography bee more … I just want to let people know it’s a fun thing to do,” he said.
In addition to geography, Andrew enjoys history, playing piano, speaking Russian, surfing, hiking, skateboarding and geocaching, an outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS.
Andrew is the son of Jon and Elena Anderton of Lihu‘e.
• Chris D’Angelo, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-0441 or lifestyle@thegardenisland.com.
