In about seven rounds Thursday of the National Geographic Bee school competition at Columbia Falls Junior High, 30 competitors in grades sixth through eighth were narrowed down to two — seventh-grader Noah Golan and sixth-grader Dillion Young. 

During a quick break, Golan maintained a serious expression. As he toward the audience, a friend reached out a closed hand for a fist pump. Golan’s tense expression relaxed a bit. 

Young sprang from his seat with a smile. Young shook off apprehensive excitement, wringing his hands and saying, “Oh my gosh,” under his breath.

Throughout the competition, students named continents, countries, regions, U.S. states and oceans using clues about physical features, animals, plants, important people, economics, politics, populations, “weird but true” facts and sports. 

The afternoon was filled with smiles and sighs, looks of exasperation, surprise and pride. This is the 13th year the school has held a geographic bee

In the championship round, Golan, the defending school geography bee champion, and Young took their seats. The moderator, social studies teacher DeWayne Padgett, asked the final questions. 

In this round, the competitors were asked the same questions with 15 seconds to write down their answers before holding them up and reading them aloud. The competitor with the most correct answers is the champion. 

It came down to the final question involving pop culture. 

The students were asked to name a European peninsula on which the fictional hit movie “Frozen” was based. 

The two pause. Neither had seen the movie but have heard about it. Golan picked up his pen and wrote “Scandinavia.” Young, puzzled, raised his pen, then put it down, ultimately leaving his sheet blank.

“We have a champion,” Padgett announced.

Golan was elated with his championship win. 

“I first thought it was Russia,” Golan said. “My mom’s Norwegian, so I know a lot about Norway.”

Third place went to seventh-grader Logan Harvey. 

Young was happy to reach his goal to make it in the top 10.

“I like learning about the earth, learning about where we live,” Young said. “I just like geography.”

Golan must now take a written test to find out if he qualifies to compete at the state level. 

The top 100 students will participate in the state bee March 27. State champions go to the national championship May 11 through May 13 in Washington, D.C., for the opportunity to win a $50,000 scholarship, a Galapagos trip, $500 cash and a lifetime subscription to National Geographic Magazine.

“I’ve never been to state before and I want to make it as far as I can — that’s my goal,” Golan said.

To be successful at the bee, National Geographic advises competitors to study atlases, geography reference books, blank outline maps, physical features, climate and culture and to follow current events, politics, international agreements and discoveries.

Studying atlases is a favorite hobby of Golan’s.

“When I was 5 I read the atlas. I’ve got three or four atlases,” Golan said adding, “I look at all types of maps. I just like reading maps.” 

Padgett said the world is figuratively getting smaller, which makes it more important to learn geography. Columbia Falls Junior High social studies teacher Jeff Peck added that geography is not just about physical features but often dictates economic activities, which is what the students who participate in the bee learn.

Padgett and Peck were impressed with all the competitors’ camaraderie, knowledge and participation.

“This was entirely voluntary. The students are studying for it in their own time and competing after school,” Padgett said. 

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.