STERLING – Without geography, there's nowhere to go.

Retired Sterling Public Schools teacher Linda Weatherwax stressed that to the 11 students participating Tuesday in Washington Elementary School's second annual National Geographic geography bee.

"It's really important we remember things we learn about our world," Weatherwax said.

Fourth- and fifth-graders packed the gym to watch contestants go head-to-head. Fifth-grader Modesto Murillo snagged first place. Ironically enough, Modesto was rather modest – well, frankly, amazed.

"I think it was luck," Modesto said. "I lost some rounds and came back up. I just kept trying over and over."

He also immersed himself in games and activities at www.nationalgeographic.com, which helped hone his geographic recall.

Clues within questions helped reveal answers. When Weatherwax posed a question, including something that sounded like Amazon, Modesto knew the answer was Brazil. He was correct.

Not all queries came with helpful hints. Fifth-grader Sophia Brown began the contest, fielding this question: Which city was once the nation's capital?

Sophia could choose Philadelphia or St. Louis. She chose the City of Brotherly Love – the correct answer.

Thanks to another question, participants and the audience also learned something new about Illinois. It's the nation's largest pumpkin producer.

Defeating fellow fifth-grader Carter Gearing means Modesto must prepare for the next step.
Winners from participating schools, including U.S. territories and military bases, must take a written test.

The 100 highest scorers advance to state competition, and the state winner advances to the national level. All competition  started with classroom bees. Washington fourth-grade teacher Denise Harts, who helped coordinate the event, stressed the need for geographic literacy.

"We need to keep geography alive," Harts said.

"A lot of times, geography is not being taught. You have adults that don't know geography. We want to catch them early."

The participants

Fourth-graders

– Matthew Greenfield

– Marcos Garcia

– Anna Mohr

– Hope Gallardo

– Colton Loos

– Liam Estes

Fifth-graders

– Sophia Brown

– Carter Gearing

– Alicia Montanez

– Levi Henderson

– Modesto Murillo (the winner)