Team Centurion’s Harrison Pingley earns first-place among local seventh graders
Shaler Area Middle School students Harrison Pingley, Oliver Mateskovich, and Luke Kohler showcased their social studies knowledge at the Regional Finals of the annual Geography and History Bees on Saturday, January 17, at the AUI in Homestead.
Hosted by the International Academic Competition, the event brought together dozens of middle school students from across the region, all competing for a chance to qualify for the National Championships in Orlando, Florida.
Seventh grader Harrison Pingley dominated the History Bee, earning First Place overall after scoring an impressive 98% on the qualifying exam. His outstanding performance placed him at the top of the competition and secured his spot in the final round. A Centurion’s team student, Harrison, is well known for his strong understanding of history and world affairs.
“I had studied quite a bit and felt proud, but I didn’t expect to win first place,” Harrison said. “I felt like I didn’t have enough knowledge.” He added that the victory could have a lasting impact, explaining that it “will increase my chances of getting a scholarship, which means I can potentially go to a better university.”
Teammates Oliver Mateskovich and Luke Kohler also represented SAMS with pride. Oliver earned fourth place among seventh graders in the Geography Bee, while Luke also competed strongly, demonstrating the depth of knowledge few students his age possess.
“I have loved geography for a long time,” Oliver said. “I expected to do well, but I did not expect to move on to the finals. It felt great to qualify!”
The competitions tested students on topics ranging from ancient civilizations, such as the Punic Wars, to major modern-day events. All three students were prepared through the Geography Club, an after-school program led by social studies teacher Ms. Sally Welka.
“I am very proud of Luke, Oliver, and Harrison,” Ms. Welka said. “All three have a passion for geography and history, and I think participating in the Geography and History Bees will be something they will remember for a long time.”
Ms. Welka emphasized that understanding geography is complex and vital. “Most people think geography is just looking at maps, but geography is so much more than that,” she explained. “It is important to study geography in school because it helps students understand the world and how people, places, and environments are connected.”
She added that history is equally important for middle school students. “History is just as important to study in school,” Ms. Welka said. “It is especially important for seventh graders because it helps them understand how the world they live in today was shaped by the past.”
Congratulations to Harrison, Oliver, and Luke for representing SAMS with excellence—and a special round of applause to Harrison for dominating the History Bee and taking First Place. Thank you to Ms. Welka for encouraging the students and preparing them for this challenging academic competition.
As former President Barack Obama once said, “The study of geography is about more than just memorizing places on a map. It’s about understanding the complexity of our world and appreciating the diversity of cultures that exist across.”
The SAMS Salmon 