JOIN USHaiti knowledge helps boy win geography bee
Aadith Moorthy, 13, of Palm Harbour, Florida, — who was put on the spot during introductions when host Alex Trebek asked him to sing a Carnatic tune from his native southern India — came out on top as 10 boys faced off in a battle of world knowledge. He wins a $25,000 college scholarship and a trip to the Galapagos Islands.
The final question asked for the largest city in northern Haiti, which was renamed following Haiti’s independence from France. The answer was Cap-Haitien. Moorthy had it and gave a small fist pump.
“I feel great,” Moorthy said with a big smile shortly after. “The mission is accomplished.” His father, Satyamoorthy, gave him a hug and bowed slightly before his geography whiz son.
For the past four months, Moorthy collected 20 facts a day based on advice from a coach and then reviewed them all. He’s been on a mission ever since winning the state bee.
By now, “he has enough (knowledge) for a couple of books,” his father said.
The bee will be broadcast later on television stations.
History teacher Michelle Anderson was speechless after seeing one of her students win the bee. She said Moorthy also won the school’s top honours in math, tutors students in science and was a state finalist for National History Day. “He’s just a great kid. We’re going to have to call it the Aadith Moorthy school geography bee from here on out.”