Holjencin winner in geography bee

Eighth-grader Joe Holjencin was winner of the National Geographic Bee recently held by the Cameron County Area School District enrichment program. He'll now take a written test from National Geographic organization in an attempt to qualify for statewide competition.

Purpose of the contest is to encourage the study of geography. Questions focus on the location of cultural and physical features, languages, religions, economic activities, population, political systems, climate, bodies of water and soils.

Three students from each Cameron County seventh- and eighth-grade homeroom were initial winners: Victoria Foutz, Joe Holjencin, Elizabeth Jordan, Seth McFall, Matthew McBride, Derek Newton, Mark Schweikart, Mariah Wilson, Jessica Wykoff, Joey Botera, Kate Crosby, Jourdan Britton, Cody Beer, Kyle Banks, Zach Austin, Olivia Guisto, Tia Garrigan, Christopher Pharis, Carly Reigel, Nicholas Stuckey and Alison Whitehead.

The field was then narrowed to eight quarterfinalists. Joe, the son of Chris and Joe Holjencin of Emporium, topped Seth McFall in the finals.

The organizers expressed appreciation to enrichment students Shelby Summers, Brian Carlson and Dionna Orner, as well as the homeroom teachers, for their assistance.