Eighth Grader Wins Hickory Creek's Geography Bee

FRANKFORT, IL — Hickory Creek Middle School eighth grader Nick Bafia recently won the school-wide Geography Bee after competing against nine other eighth, seventh and sixth graders.

Normally, students at the school compete for the chance to advance to the state GeoBee, held in Chicago. However, when the event was canceled this year, teachers Renee Grady and Pamela Swierczewski were determined to deliver a similar meaningful experience, the district said.

Students took a qualifying test, and the top 10 scorers were invited to compete against one another for the title of Hickory Creek Middle School Geography Bee winner, according to the district. The qualifying exam tested students’ knowledge of U.S. geography, world geography, and current events.

Participants included: Eighth graders Nick Bafia, Caleb Lee, Miroslaw Jozwik, and Quinn Paris, seventh graders Harry Smith, Ayden Mazziotta, and Bryson Dax, and sixth graders Sam Lee, Mason Spencer, and Nathanial Schant.

The students took turns answering questions about a wide range of topics, from major world oceans and United States history to countries of the world, the district said. If they answered correctly, they were given a point; and they were dismissed after three incorrect answers.

Nick Bafia and Miroslaw Jozwik were the last two competitors, and Nick was crowned the winner with a 1-point lead, the district said.