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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, April 16, 2014 | 10 Student hopes to place in geography challenge by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff What is the capital of Peru? What lake separates Wisconsin and Michigan? What Icelandic volcano erupted in April 2010? For Oakville resident and St. Mildred'sLightbourn School student Megan Jenkinson, 15, these are interesting pieces of trivia. The Grade 10 student will face off against 49 other geography lovers from across the country in today's (Thursday's) 19th edition of the Great Canadian Geography Challenge. The challenge, held annually by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, offers students born after Aug. 31, 1998, the opportunity to test their knowledge of Canadian and international geography as well as topography, climate and more in an educational competition. The top three scorers receive, respectively, a $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 scholarship and a chance to represent Canada in the National Geographic World Championship in 2015. "I'm pretty excited I made the Top 50," said Jenkinson. "I'm really happy with that." Jenkinson said she has travelled extensively living in Calgary, England and visiting much of Europe. Between that and a love of history and reading, particularly National Geographic, she has absorbed much about the world around her. Last year, her body of knowledge became apparent when she aced a series of geography quizzes at school. St. Mildred's Geography, World Issues and Civics Senior School teacher Brian Speck explored Jenkinson's knowledge further by holding a geography competition between her and Reach Your Career Goals. the rest of the class. When Jenkinson excelled, Speck recommended she participate in a schoollevel geography challenge, which she again aced. In March, Jenkinson advanced to the Provincial/Territorial Geography Challenge in which she competed online against representatives from schools across Canada. The goal was to whittle the contestants to 50. Jenkinson was among them. "One question that stumped me was what is the instrument used to measure wind speed. It's an anemometer," said Jenkinson, who did correctly answer a question about the location of Crowsnest Pass because her family would drive through it every year when they lived in Calgary. When the time comes to take the national test, Jenkinson said she will be taken to a classroom and supervised as she takes the challenge online. The St. Mildred's student said she has been preparing by reading. "I like the volcanoes, the tectonic plates. That's always interested me. I'm not really sure why," she said. "I like connecting with different places. I like seeing maps and just knowing about different places. It's satisfying to have general facts about things." While Jenkinson may consider a career in kinesiology or international relations, when she is not competing in national tests the 15-year-old said she enjoys reading, watching movies and playing soccer and hockey. For more, visit www.geochallenge.ca. St. Mildred's Lightbourn student Megan Jenkinson, 15, is going to a national geography contest final. | photo by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/ HaltonPhotog) Come visit our new and improved website! Sheridan's Continuing and Professional Studies programs and courses offer the real-world skills employers are looking for. Choose from over 800 courses ­ either online or at our campuses in Brampton, Mississauga and Oakville. REGISTER NOW ce.sheridancollege.ca A beautiful new look for our website with plenty of travel inspiration Even more handpicked top travel deals specific to your region Personalize your travel search with our easy-to-use TripSearch tool FOR THE SPRING 2014 TERM. Our brand new TravelBlog featuring travel tips and advice Curating the very best travel deals for Canadians for over 10 years. Spring 2014