On April 28th in Arlington, Virginia, Decorah High School junior Simon Kutz competed with 100 other students from across the country in the United States Geography Championships and finished in 7th place. During the competition Kutz had to take a written exam covering the following categories: geomorphology, geography and current events, historical geography, cultural geography, economic geography, urban geography, biogeography, and climate geography. Then he took a test meant to assess the types of practical map skills and cartographic reasoning reflective of exam questions as well as field work examinations.

In addition, he was a finalist (8th place) in the National Varsity round of the International Geography Bee.

Kutz participated in both competitions last year, finishing 12th in the United States Geography Championships and 16th in the National Varsity round of the International Geography Bee. 

More information about these contests can be found at https://geographychampionships.com/nationals/.