Whiz kid heads to nationals
'I really like studying,' territorial geography champion says
Casey Lessard
Northern News Services
Monday, May 4, 2015
IQALUIT
It's not a phrase you hear from too many 13-year-olds. Territorial geography champion Kirsten MacDonald of Iqaluit says she loves to study.
"I really like geography, and I really like studying and having a bunch of knowledge," said MacDonald, a budding anthropologist, who headed to Ottawa May 2 for the Canadian Geographic Challenge, which wraps up today (May 4).
"Each year, we have a little competition in school, and if somebody wins that, they go on to territorials, and if we win territorials, we go on to the nationals," the Ecole des Trois-Soleils student said.
"This is the first time I'm going somewhere for an accomplishment."
This year marks the first time since 2003 that contestants in the Canadian Geographic Challenge, now in its 20th year, have faced off against each other in person.
Jeopardy host Alex Trebek, the long-time host of the National Geographic Bee in the United States, made the live event possible through a $100,000 donation to Canadian Geographic by way of the National Geographic Education Foundation. Trebek will participate in the competition's closing ceremonies, when all contestants will get a chance to meet the Canadian celebrity.
It's been hard work preparing for this week's competition, where she is facing off as one of 50 students seeking to be named the national champion.
After the school contest, she had to complete a written test online. Two weeks after the test, she learned she was Nunavut's winner and sole entrant to the national event.
She prepared for her trip by "doing past tests and stuff like that," she said.
"The teacher that helped me taught me some of the stuff that was on the test. My parents are making me study every night. I think I can do it."
The Grade 8 student is competing in the Grade 7 to 10 category.
"I'm pretty nervous because there are three rounds," she said. "The first and second rounds are on the first day, doing field work and a written test. The (five) best from the second round go to the third round, which is like a game show format."
The top three winners receive $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 scholarships, respectively.
Regardless of how she fares, she's looking forward to the experience. Already bilingual in English and French, MacDonald is also learning Inuktitut. She loves geography, history and science, and is an accomplished Highland dancer.
"It's going to be really interesting meeting a bunch of new people who share the same interests as me," she said. "Also just learning new stuff, new experiences."
The leader of the school is pleased to see the success.
"We're very proud of her," said principal Guy Belanger.
"For the school, it's very important that our students could perform at this level. It's a lot of work."
