“It’s my first time to join this competition and I didn’t expect to win!” Masrur S. Alam told Variety, adding that he joined for the sake of experience and fun.
He said his parents helped him prepare two weeks before the contest.
“I thank them…and I am very proud of this victory,” he said.
Masrur Alam is a consistent participant at Math Courts and spelling bee contests and has won both competitions at WSR several times.
On Dec. 23, Alam will take a written Geography Bee examination to determine if he will qualify to compete in the national competition next year where over 50 students from various U.S. states and territories will participate.
Alam vows to do his best.
“This is an opportunity that may send me to the states. I have never been there and I want to experience the event,” the 10-year-old boy said.
According to WSR vice principal Naomi M. Nishimura, the school-wide competition started last week and continued on Wednesday.
During the preliminary rounds, 36 students competed from 12 classes.
After the tie-breaking session, the contest coordinators selected the 10 contestants for the championship round.
Alam was among the four students who automatically made it to the championship round after correctly answering the questions.
Nishimura said WSR used the national format for the Geography Bee.
“A written test will be administered here in the school and the test result will be sent to the national level,” she said. “Based on the result, they will determine who among the Pacific islanders will officially represent the region in the national competition.”
Nishimura said the school will help Alam prepare for the competition.
She acknowledged the active participation and involvement of parents in the WSR Geography Bee.
“Our parents did a good job in helping the students practice and prepare,” she said.
WSR has been conducting the Geography Bee for the last five years.
“To expose our students to the world and other places, we need to encourage them to learn about their history and culture. And this competition is also an opportunity for them to excel,” she said.
