Published: May 16, 2008 11:44 am            

Matthew Thomas goes around the world in a couple of days

Crystal McCoy

cmccoy@weatherforddemocrat.com

Sixth grader Matthew Thomas’ room is different from most sixth graders. There is no video game console or pile of comic books. Rather maps, globes and atlases fill the shelves and walls of his room. Framed certificates hang above his desk and a shelf near his door is filled with awards and ribbons. His free time is spent playing the piano, reading and studying geography.

And it’s because of his ability to focus, retain information and his overall love of geography that he will represent the State of Texas and Weatherford ISD in the 2008 National Geographic Bee in Washington, D.C., Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thomas won his school geography bee at Mary Martin Elementary earlier this spring. Then after passing the qualifying test he advanced and won the state bee April 4. This was his third year to attend the state competition, but his first time to walk away with top honors.

He said the state bee was easier and he was more comfortable this year because “we studied more and I was more prepared for the topics.”

When he answered the winning question he said he felt “ecstatic.”

His mother, Kimberly, said, “I was that sports fan, ‘YES!’ About two questions before that we thought he had lost because they accepted two answers. I don’t see how he maintained his concentration after that.”

“They would accept Taiga or Boreal Forest” as an answer, Thomas explained. “I used Boreal Forest, however Taiga is the more commonly used term.”

“So when [the judge] gave the answer, ‘And the correct answer is Taiga,’” Kimberly recounted. “She paused and everyone thought this other little boy had won. Then after the applause for him died down she said ‘and also acceptable ... ’ That was an emotional time. We were proud no matter how he did. Then they went two more rounds and he got the right answer.”

For now it’s back to studying and trying to absorb every piece of information he can, especially his admitted weakness — physical geography. As for his nerves about his upcoming trip to the national capital, he summed those up in two words, “extremely anxious.”

Pat Hardy, the state coordinator for the Texas bee and also a Weatherford ISD employee, has arranged for Thomas to receive letters from both Governor Rick Perry and Senator Kay Granger.

“Matthew Thomas epitomizes the kind of student that you would most want to teach and represent your school in an event such as the National Geographic Bee,” Hardy said. “He is polite, soft-spoken, bright, pleasant, humble and knows his geography. Anyone who makes it to the national finals knows their geography, but all of the positive attributes of Matthew make me very proud and honored that he will be representing Weatherford ISD and Texas in Washington, D.C. He is winner in the truest sense of the word.”

Thomas’ love for learning started early on in his life. His first interest was architecture, which showed itself through his Lego creations, graph paper drawings and now his computer designs. In kindergarten he received his first atlas and by the end of the school year he was reciting states and their capitals to teachers during recess.

His knowledge now expands to countries across the globe including his favorites: Germany, the Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Russia and Nordic countries.

“I’ve always found those particular countries quite interesting,” Thomas said. “I might see something that looks different, a house that looks different.”

He said of all the places he has studied, he would most like to visit Prague because “I’ve seen amazingly beautiful pictures of the city.”

Thomas stays up-to-date on the culture, politics and other important information using the CIA online World Fact Book as a guide.

“What they can ask is so broad,” Kimberly said. “It’s pretty much ‘here’s the Earth, know everything you can.’”

Holly Hughes has been Thomas’ piano teacher for eight years. She has traveled through Europe and can offer some geographical discussion during their sessions in addition to talking about key changes and chords.

“Sometimes I’ll throw out a question to see if he knows it, and usually he does,” Hughes said. “He always tries to trick me because I’m not a geography buff. We have a lot of fun, and I’m so proud of him for all his hard work.”

She said Thomas is a gifted and very advanced student who knows how to get the job done.

“He is very disciplined, and lots of children don’t have that skill yet,” Hughes said. “He’s very mature for his age. I know piano has helped him with that. He is only my second sixth grade student I’ve ever put in the piano solo competition in Fort Worth. I usually just put in my oldest kids because it’s very competitive with students from all over the Metroplex. .. But his first time there he received a superior plus rating and played in the honorary recital.”

Thomas’ sister, Victoria, is a senior at Weatherford High School and said she is excited about her brother’s win at state and advancement to the national competition.

“I know there couldn’t possibly be a prouder sister in the whole state of Texas,” she said. “At this point, how he does at the national level is of little importance to me, because he has accomplished so much. It would be wonderful if he could make the finals or win at that level, but his enjoyment of the competition is of utmost importance to me. I would never want him to think that he had to win to make us proud, or to have him become stiff and nervous just because the competition is more difficult.”

        

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