Staff Writer

The Cayman Trench is a deep depression in which ocean?

Gripping a black marker, Andrew Gillis scrawled the correct answer – the Caribbean – on a scrap of paper. A moment later, he correctly identified iron as the metallic element in all ferrous metals needed to make steel. 

With those correct answers, Gillis propelled himself into the finals of the state National Geographic Bee.

Gillis, a 12-year-old sixth grader from Loranger Middle School in Old Orchard Beach, was one of 100 students from across the state who gathered Friday at the University of Southern Maine in Portland. The students – all fourth through eighth graders – qualified after winning school bees and completing a written exam. Students with the top 100 scores throughout the state advanced to the competition.

During opening remarks, coordinator Brian Cushing asked contestants – each sporting a new beige bee T-shirt – to stand for a round of applause from their families and teachers. He said the students were among millions nationwide to participate in this year’s contest.

 “We are very proud to have the brightest young geographers in Maine here today,” he said.

The 100 contestants then split into five groups for the preliminary round, which narrowed the field of competitors to 10.

Moderator Glenn Nerbak of the Maine Council for the Social Studies reviewed rules with the contestants before congratulating them on their accomplishments.

“Whatever happens today, you should be proud you got this far,” he said. “Just remember to breathe during your questions.”

The 100 contestants then split into five groups for the preliminary round, which narrowed the field of competitors to 10. In one room, Gillis was among 20 contestants to take his seat for eight rounds of questions. His competitors included Veronica Druchniak of Bonny Eagle Middle School in Buxton and John Ennis of Gorham Middle School.

With their parents and teachers crowded into the classroom behind them, the students answered question after question. Ennis and Druchniak demonstrated their knowledge of state populations, national monuments and cave systems. 

Gillis earned the top preliminary score in the room by correctly answering seven questions. Ennis and Druchniak each correctly answered four questions. Though he had the top room score, Gillis had to wait several minutes before scorers determined he would take part in a tie-breaking round for a spot in the finals. 

After a short wait, Gillis took his place in the tie-breaking round to compete against 10 other students for eight open spots in the finals. Two students answered all eight questions correctly in the preliminaries. 

Gillis and Archer Thomas, a fourth grader at Frank Jewett School in Buxton, qualified for the finals on the third question. All competitors answered the same question in writing. The tie-breaker lasted 15 rounds. 

While waiting to take the stage for the finals, Gillis said he was starting to feel a little nervous after seeing how hard some questions were in the previous round. He said he can often figure out answers by looking for clues in the questions. 

Gillis took the stage with the top 10 as his father and younger brother arrived to watch the finals. The pair had rushed to the university from work and school after hearing Gillis advanced beyond the preliminary round.

Also taking the stage were Thomas; Spencer Stevens of Sea Road School in Kennebunk; David Cavagnaro of the Middle School of the Kennebunks; Isaiah Perez of Lake Region Middle School in Naples; Conor Millard of Leonard Middle School in Old Town; Peter Dutton of St. Brigid School in Portland; James Davis of Sabattus Central School; Paden Stanton of Woolwich Central School; and John O’Gorman of Harrison Middle School in Yarmouth.

A packed auditorium watched as each student correctly answered first-round questions. Questions in later rounds used Google imagery of bridges around the world and a map of potential renewable energy sources in the United States.

Thomas, Stevens and Gillis answered multiple questions before being eliminated. Cavagnaro, an eighth grader, answered question after question correctly before placing second to Millard. Millard will compete for a $25,000 college scholarship in the national championship in May, which is moderated by Alex Trebek and televised nationally. 

After all contestants received a certificate and were honored on stage as champions, Gillis reflected on the event. He said being on stage was “pretty nerve wracking” but worth the effort. 

 “It was really cool,” he said. “I’ll definitely do it again next year.”