Jonathan Marquardt, an eight grader at Highland Middle School, was recognized by the Libertyville School District 70 Board of Education on April 24 for his participation in the Illinois National Geographic Bee at Illinois State University in Normal.

Superintendent Guy Schumacher said Marquardt won Highland's geography bee and then scored high enough on an entry exam to be one of 99 students at the tournament. He said Marquardt made it through six of the eight rounds.

Q: How did you get involved?

A: We had the bee in school and I didn't study at all in sixth grade but I had fun even though I didn't make it. Then in seventh grade I was a finalist. I still wanted to do better so I studied even more this year.

Q: How much did you study?

A: When I qualified for state I studied a few hours every day for about a month. I spent most of my spring break studying.

Q: What materials did you study?

A: Atlases and fact books. There were some books from National Geographic. I watched some of the old national bees on YouTube.

Q: Did the bee seem too much like school?

A: No, I had fun. I liked learning about everything. There are a lot of countries out there with different things going on.

Q: Are there any countries you learned about that you'd like to visit someday?

A: I want to go to Europe and travel the Mediterranean Sea. I think it would be cool to visit all those countries along the shore. I think their cultures are more interesting than anywhere else in the world.

Q: Outside of the National Geographic Bee, what other activities are you involved in?

A: I play soccer, and I was on Highland's basketball team and volleyball team this year.