Marion Intermediate fifth-grader wins Geography Bowl a second time

For the second year in a row, Tripp Schenck took top honors in the annual Geography Bowl in Cleveland County Schools – the first time in the contest’s almost 20-year history a student who competed twice also finished in first place both times.

A fifth-grader at Marion Intermediate School, Schenck answered more questions correctly in the final competition to become champion with Jack Lloyd of Elizabeth Elementary and Cooper Short of West Elementary finishing second and third respectively. The bowl, held Tuesday, Feb. 24 at Graham Elementary, is organized and presented each year by the Academically Intellectually Gifted Program of Cleveland County Schools and sponsored by the Greater Cleveland County Schools’ Educational Foundation.

The 30 fourth- and fifth-graders participating qualified for the bowl by placing first or second at the geography bees or contests held at their schools in recent weeks. The bowl includes both oral and written questions that become increasing difficult with each level.

The eight finalists advancing to Level 2 competition besides the three winners were Steven Bolton of Casar Elementary, Ryan Eusebio of Marion Intermediate, McKayla Jennings of Union Elementary, Leandre Moore of Washington Elementary and Keyondre Currence of West.

Other students competing were Alex Jenkins and Destiny Neesmith of Bethware Elementary, Morgan Parris and Jeremy Henkel of Boiling Springs Elementary, Caitlin Hudson of Casar Elementary, Darren Burns and Chloe Payseur of East Elementary, Devon Harrison of Elizabeth Elementary, Taylor Lackey and David Cole of Fallston Elementary, Justin Cook and Jerrod Willis of Grover Elementary, Jacob Warren and Matthew Jeong of Kings Mountain Intermediate, Caleb Carroll and Josh Scism of North Elementary, Madison Clary and Garrett Thomas of Springmore Elementary, Regi Ward and Amber Willis of Township Three Elementary, Makayla Beaver of Union Elementary and Ryan Neal of Washington Elementary.