Do you know where Moldova is? Baker Middle School eighth-grader Ashrith Reddy probably does.
Ashrith was recognized at Monday's CCISD regular school board meeting for competing and winning his age group in the 2019 U.S. Geography Olympiad National Championship in June as a seventh-grader.
"Geography has been my passion for so many years, and I've been getting so much support from my parents and my teachers and my administrators," he said. "It really felt like a dream come true."
This competition consisted of a written and buzzer test with 127 kids who qualified to participate at the national level.
"Ashrith placed two years ago at fourth," said Baker Middle School geography club sponsor Kasey Smith. "This year, his dedication (and) his perseverance pushed him to be the national champion."
The geography club had 25 students, and two other Baker Middle School students besides Ashrith qualified for nationals.
"I feel very proud that our city gets to be put on the map and also that our school especially," Ashrith said. "I feel that this is more of a school representing even than personal."
The success of the geography club at Baker is now inspiring the school to enter other competitions in the future.
"The teachers really just encourage them, just feed on that creativity, that curiosity, and help them succeed and help other students," said Baker Middle School Principal John Dobbins said. "That passion will encourage our other students and it becomes infectious across the campus."
And, by the way, it's between the Ukraine and Romania.
Moldova, that is.
