Pacific South launches inaugural middle school Geography Bee
Okinawa, Japan — The Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) Pacific South District proudly hosted its first annual Middle School Geography Bee on March 18, 2026, at the District Office aboard Kadena Air Base, bringing together top-performing students from across the district in a rigorous academic competition.
Students from Ryukyu Middle School, Kadena Middle School, and Lester Middle School earned their place in the district competition by excelling on a preliminary Geography Bee screener. The top six students from each school—18 students in total—were invited to compete in a multi-round event designed to challenge geographic knowledge, critical thinking, and composure under pressure.
The competition followed a structured, progressive format that included multiple rounds of oral questioning and visual map identification, culminating in a championship round to determine final placements. As the rounds advanced, questions increased in complexity, and students were gradually eliminated based on performance, creating an atmosphere of intense but respectful academic competition.
The event highlighted not only content mastery but also poise, resilience, and intellectual agility. All participating students demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the competition.
Final Results:
- 1st Place: Hanniel Mavi (Kadena Middle School)
- 2nd Place: Benjamin Maxey (Kadena Middle School)
- 3rd Place: Walter Tobash (Kadena Middle School)
While the top three honors were awarded to students from Kadena Middle School, all participants were recognized as outstanding achievers, having earned their place through high-level performance on the initial screener. Students received medals and certificates in recognition of their accomplishments.
The purpose of the Geography Bee was to promote academic enrichment, global awareness, friendly competition, and student engagement, while fostering a deeper appreciation for geography as a critical academic discipline. The intensity of the competition reflected the students’ preparation and commitment, with participants consistently performing at a high level under pressure.
The district extends its sincere appreciation to the parents, faculty members, and school communities who supported students throughout the process. Special thanks are extended to the event’s adjudicators, Ms. Sara Mack, Math Instructional Systems Specialist for Pacific South, and Sgt. Maj. Brent Cook, District Teacher of the Year, for their leadership and support in ensuring a fair and successful competition.
This inaugural event marks the beginning of what district leaders anticipate will become a valued academic tradition. The Pacific South community celebrates these students not only for their achievements, but for representing the highest standards of academic excellence.
