Their future looks bright

The Sunnyside Geography Bee, which is part of program created by the National Geographic Society, was held Tuesday at Havre High School's auditorium.

Stephanie Padget is the 2015 champion from Sunnyside Intermediate School and may be competing at the state level soon.

After a grueling tie-breaker series of questions between Padget and runner-up Brooklyn Kallenberger, Padget was crowned victorious. The tie-breaker consisted of questions that were read to both of them. They then had to write their answers on a white board and reveal them. After over a dozen tie-breaker questions that were of a level arguably difficult for many, if not most, adults.

The final question asked by Geography Bee veteran Dolan Tuss of the night was: "What is the name of the arid U.S. valley that lies between the Panamint Range and the Amargosa Range?"

After Padget wrote the correct answer, Death Valley, on her board, the crowd of Sunnyside students erupted in applause for the new champion of the 14th annual Sunnyside Geography Bee.

Padget will soon have to take a written examination that will determine if she will be permitted to participate at the state competition in Billings.

Marge Suek, a Sunnyside teacher and coordinator of the annual geography bee, said that the winner of the state championship will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., so they may participate in the national championship in May.

"I am happy to say that Havre has sent several local winners on to the state level, and we've had one student represent us at the national level," Suek said.

The first prize of the national championship is a $50,000 college scholarship.

Brooklyn Kallenberger took second place and Ali Maloughney took third.