VANCOUVER, Wash. — How many 14-year-olds know that Goa in India was a Portuguese colony until 1961 or where Lake Turkana is? Only one among the contestants in the 15th Annual National Geographic Bee. James M. Williams, 14, of the Salmon Creek Ward, Vancouver Washington West Stake, won the two-day competition held May 20-21 in Washington D.C.
James said that the night before the final rounds he couldn't sleep all night because he was so scared. That morning James and his parents, Craig and Ann Williams, and his 13-year-old sister, Kirsten, had a family prayer asking that James and his co-competitors would remember what they had studied and do well. "We never prayed that he would win," Brother Williams said.
"I couldn't help being a little nervous," James recalled. "There were bright lights, national television coverage, but the nervousness wore off once the competition began. I had studied the material, but it was hard to recall, especially with the question about Goa. If Heavenly Father had not have helped me, I would not have been able to remember."
To prepare for the bee, James said he had to "study, study, study, study, study. I studied my brains out, but Sunday was never a study day. And I prayed a lot."
The young man's gospel background and strong values were felt by others at the competition. He became good friends with another Christian family from Arkansas. The two families discussed religion and even had family prayer together. A parent of another competitor who did very well and was very knowledgeable approached the Williams family after the competition and thanked them for James' kindness and graciousness to their son. "Your son came up to my son and said, 'I wish you would have made it because you knew all of this too.' It meant so much to our son and to us."
Sister Williams, who home schools James and his five younger siblings, said that James started studying atlases and the dictionary when he was around 5 or 6. "The only computer game we had back then was 'Where in the world is Carmen San Diego.' He played it all the time. When he gets interested in a subject he goes deep," she said.
"We have a strict rule in our house that we only allow learning games on the computer," Brother Williams said.
But James isn't just a whiz when it comes to the four corners of the earth. In seminary he is known as the "answer guy." He started seminary a year early because he will graduate ahead of his class and leave for college when he is 17 instead of 18. Although he was the youngest in the class, he completed his scripture mastery early.
James is on track for his requirements for his Duty to God Award, is an accomplished pianist (he is the priesthood pianist) and swimmer and is a regular helper for his friends' Eagle projects. He is working towards getting his Eagle. "I wish there was a merit badge for geography," he said.
After winning the National Geographic Bee, which had 55 students representing each state and territory competing, James was hurried away on an instant media tour. He appeared on the NBC "Today Show" and was interviewed by well-known hosts Matt Lauer, Katie Couric and Al Roker. Then it was on to CNN, interviews with Associated Press, the BBC and several radio stations with national coverage. Articles of the young whiz kid showed up as far way as Bangkok and his picture and a story about him were on the front page of both of his local newspapers.
Now James is already starting to study for college entrance exams so he will be well prepared. His prize as the national geography champion was a $25,000 check deposited in an interest-earning account for college. He isn't sure yet what he will study in college, except that it will have to do with science; however, he is sure he wants to go on a mission when he turns 19.
"Wherever he gets called," quipped Brother Williams, "he'll know where it is!"