WASHINGTON—“Hebrew and Aramaic are the official languages of what country?”

     “The Sava and Danube rivers are generally recognized as marking the northern boundary of what peninsula?”

     “France, Ukraine, and Russia are among the leading producers of a root crop that is used to produce sugar. Name this root crop.”

     Questions like these will be posed to students ages 11-15 at the National Geography Bee May 19-20 in Washington, D.C. When the contest started, there were about 5 million competitors in the states and U.S. territories. Now there are 57 finalists, four of whom are home school students. That’s a seven percent representation from a group that only comprises three percent of the school age students.

     Can you name that sugar-producing crop?

     “I’ll never forget that one,” said David Beihl, home schooler and this year’s Geography Bee champion from South Carolina. “The answer is sugar beets.” He remembers for good reason. Last year, because he didn’t know the answer was sugar beets, he was eliminated from the South Carolina Geography Bee.

     “I said ‘sugar cane,’ but it hit me later that sugar cane only grows in tropical climates,” David said. Twelve-year-old David and two of the other three home schoolers in the bee told the HSLDA news wire they feel like they’re ready for this year’s geography bee.

     The bee is organized by the National Geographic Society. Once again, for the tenth straight year, Alex Trebek of “Jeopardy!” will host the event. The winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship.

     In Virginia, three of the top contestants were home schoolers, including 13-year-old state champ, Timothy Carr. Timothy is not the first member of the Carr family—which resides in Luray, Virginia, a town in the Shenandoah Valley—to be recognized for achievement in geography. Timothy’s older brother, Nathaniel won the state competition and qualified for the National Geography Bee when he was in the eighth grade. He placed sixth in that national contest.

     Timothy said his home schooling program has helped him succeed in geography. “I really enjoy home schooling,” Timothy said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

     John Kizer, a 13 year old from Portsmouth, Ohio, has sustained for years his determination to win. In state competition during the past four years he has placed in the top 10, and this year he won to become Ohio’s representative to the national competition. John plans to become a scientific researcher. But next week he’ll also compete in the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee. It will be held in Washington a few days after the geography bee. He finished tenth in last year’s national spelling bee.

     Reflecting on the importance of academic competitions, John’s father, John Kizer, Sr., said it’s good for students to learn that academic achievement is appreciated. “If he had the same level of ability in football, they (public schools) would be beating down the doors to get him in.”

     Penny Beihl, David’s mom, says that the flexible, individualized approach available for home school children is what makes the difference for home schoolers, but David likes other aspects of home schooling. “You don’t have to take the bus,” David said.

     Michael Farris, president of the Home School Legal Defense Association, a non-profit advocacy group, sees the advantages to home schooling more like Penny. “Home school students tend to be disproportionately represented in national contests where academic skills are being tested. The reason is simple: home school parents emphasize traditional learning rather than feel-good self-esteem methods that leave children puffed up but devoid of the knowledge that they need to sustain themselves in real life.”