Area boys compete in geography

By Harold Gwin

The state winner gets a shot at a national title and a trip to the Galapagos Islands.

YOUNGSTOWN — Five area students are in Columbus today as competitors in the 2009 Ohio Geographic Bee.

The five won their school contests and then passed a qualifying test to earn the right to compete for the state title at the Mansfield Campus of Ohio State University.

The local competitors are: Michael J. Palagano of Glenwood Middle School in Boardman; Christian J. Moore of South Range Middle School; Curtis Myers of East Palestine Middle School; John P. Higham of Holy Family School in Poland; and Cooper T. Johnson of Willow Creek Learning Center.

The winner of the state competition receives $100, a national Geographic Collegiate Atlas of the World and an invitation to compete in the national finals in Washington, D.C., on May 19 and 20.

The national winner gets a $25,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society and an expenses-paid trip to the Galapagos Islands with “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek and the “Jeopardy!” Clue Crew.

Second place carries a $15,000 scholarship while third place offers a $10,000 scholarship.

Palagano, son of Yvonne and Mike Palagano, is a sixth-grade student.

He is an honor roll student and a member of the Glenwood Middle School student council.

His interests include playing the drums in the sixth-grade band, basketball, video games, riding his bike and travel.

Moore, a seventh-grade student, is the son of Amanda and Leonard Moore.

He enjoys social studies and science in school, and, at home, he participates in sports with soccer being his favorite. He also enjoys being outdoors.

Myers a sixth-grader, is the son of John and Sandra Myers.

His interests include geography, video games, chess and animals, especially reptiles.

Higham, a seventh-grade student, is the son of Richard and Karen Higham.

He loves basketball and plays a lot of football, tennis and baseball. He also enjoys running, card games and reading mysteries. Academically, his interest is in geography.

Johnson, a seventh-grader, is the son of Scott and Joy Johnson.

He is an avid reader and enjoys playing golf, soccer, violin and “Rock Band.” His goal is to travel to all of the continents before starting high school. He’s visited four so far.

gwin@vindy.com