Kellen Young wore a gold medal and a broad smile after the Woodbury fifth grade student won the school’s Geography Bee on January 25. Young Kellen says he’s never won anything like the Geo Bee before, but this was no fluke. “I studied online and on an app,” Kellen said. “I was a little nervous, but this was fun. I feel great.”
Kellen advanced to the final round of the Geo Bee after beating out a field of 62 fifth- and sixth- grade students, who were nominated after winning a mini-Bee in each of their classrooms. A total of 15 students competed in the Geo Bee finals, with four students advancing to the final round. Kellen was the only student to answer all three final round questions correctly.
Sixth-grade teacher and Woodbury Geo Bee coordinator Jessica Stephens says that Kellen will take a state qualifying test online to determine whether he will advance to the State Bee. If he does and performs well, then he could go on to the National Geographic Bee.
Kellen’s teachers Sherrie Jarvie and Aquita Shepherd were so pleased for him. “He loves to engage in learning experiences and learn new things,” Mrs. Jarvie said. Mrs. Shepherd added, “I think Kellen's success shows what a growth mindset and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone can do. I couldn't be happier for him.”