Geography Challenge 1999 Team Canada

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National Geographic World Championship 1999
	Date: August 1999 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Team Canada: Alexander Schull, Mark Laurie, Bryan Jansens, and Alexander Subtelny

Canada takes silver
Students face stiff competition at International Geography Olympiad

Few Canadians had heard the word "Papiamento" before 16-year-old Torontonian Mark Laurie offered it as the correct answer to the following question at the International Geography Olympiad, held in August in Toronto: "Name the Spanish-based creole language of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire that contains Dutch and Portuguese influences."

Canada's silver medallists (from left): Alexander Schull, Mark Laurie, Bryan Jansens and Alexander Subtelny. Photo: Jeff Speed/National Geographic Society

There is no denying this is impressive. But the real reason Laurie, the team's captain, has received so much attention is the obscurity of the fact he so effortlessly plucked from his memory. Even his teammates thought it eerie. "Mark Laurie must have some psychic ability," says Schull. It was one thing that Laurie had heard of Papiamento, quite another that he had mentioned it to teammates the night before.

Laurie insists there is nothing remarkable about this; it is simply a matter of having a broad knowledge and reviewing it, topic by topic — in this case, languages. "It's not in the least ESP. I was not saying ‘This is going to be a question.' It's more, refresh your memory, this is worthy of note."

Mark Laurie must have some psychic ability

When Laurie was a young boy poring over maps and atlases and devouring information about places he hoped to visit — initially the Caribbean, hence the Papiamento nugget — he had no motive beyond curiosity. The Great Canadian Geography Challenge and the Olympiad have changed that. "It allows you to appreciate your knowledge. That's really a gift. Now I can see what more I could possibly do with geography." For now, he says, that simply means to be a good traveller.

But that, says Mansfield, is enough. "Geography is a fundamental discipline that regardless of career path is an important form of literacy. You'll find lots of competitions for kids who play the violin or basketball. We think it's important that students who have an affinity for geography have the opportunity to shine."

— Anita Lahey, Canadian Geographic Nov/Dec 1999