MBA student to represent territories at Geographic bee

A student from Marianas Baptist Academy would be representing the U.S. Pacific territories at the upcoming 2017 National Geographic bee in Washington, D.C. after placing first in the state qualifying bee last March 31, beating other schools in the region.

Joanah Jimenez, a 7th grader at MBA, placed first in the state qualifying bee of the 2017 National Geographic Bee. She and her mother have already received an invitation to attend the nationals at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. this May 14 to 17.

“I feel nervous, excited and, at the same time, hopeful,” said Jimenez.

MBA represented the Pacific territories in last year’s competition as well. Coach and MBA geography and history teacher Manuel Castro said this is actually an advantage for the school.

“We are trying to prepare for the competitions. Last year, MBA represented the region as well, so it is a good thing for us as we have had prior experience in the competition,” he said.

Castro frequents Best Buy to look for books he thinks could be of assistance to Jimenez.

“This is a good opportunity for Jimenez to learn a lot of things. I asked her to read up on almanacs and atlases because the competition is very specific. The competition also touches on historical events and the ecology of areas all over the world,” he said.

NGC will be sponsoring the trip for Jimenez and her mother but not Castro. Because of this, Castro wishes to seek the assistance of the Public School System, since Jimenez will be representng all Pacific territories.

“We are hoping that we could go at least a day or two before May 14, which is the competition day. They sent us a program, so it would be ideal that we arrive in D.C. before then,” he said.

“I just need to finish all the paperwork associated with the trip. That is all we are waiting for.”

The last time the CNMI was represented in the NGB was back in 2006, when Grace Christian Academy represented the region. Since then, Guam students consecutively represented the Pacific until last year, when MBA got the chance to represent the region.

The NGB is a geography competition for public schools, private schools, and home schools in the U.S. and its territories, as well as Department of Defense dependents schools.

Once the number of contestants has been whittled down to the top 10, the contest would be televised on the National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD broadcast on May 19, 8pm EDT or May 20 10am ChST.