You might recall the exploits of Isaac Jung, who recently completed the fifth grade at Valentine Elementary School. In March, Isaac finished in first place at the Los Angeles Regional History Bee & Bowl, punching his ticket for the nationals. Just last week, Isaac took part that competition, which was held in Rosemont, Illinois.
There, 213 students from across the United States competed in the elementary school division. After four preliminary rounds, the quarterfinals and semifinals, Isaac earned a 7th place national ranking.
The National History Bee and Bowl feature a lockout buzzer system on its competitions with “pyramidal questions,” which are of paragraph length and progress from more difficult to easier clues. Students can ring in with the buzzer at any time during the reading of the questions, thus rewarding students with deeper understanding of the subject matter.
“The Bee was a great experience,” said Isaac. “It was fun meeting other kids who share my interest in history. There are many amazing students who are extremely knowledgeable, and they are very inspiring.”
He said he likes history because “it’s fun.”
“I enjoy reading about people and cultures of different times and from different countries,” Isaac said. “History is important because it helps us understand the world. It also helps us avoid repeating mistakes of the past.”
