Atlas helps Libertyville student map his goals
By Beth KrAmer ekramer@stmedianetwork.com January 30, 2012 10:20AM
Libertyville Wednesday 01.25.12. Will Maes, 13, of Libertyville has received honors for his knowledge in geography and speech. He is shown at his home on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. | Buzz Orr~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 3, 2012 8:24AM
As a small child, the atlas was his bedtime story of choice. As he grew older, Will Maes of Libertyville started doing independent research on the countries and cultures across the globe that captured his attention.
Maes, 13, recently won first place and the chance to represent Highland Middle School in Libertyville when we won the school’s geographic bee — for the second year in a row.
Maes took the qualifying test to compete against other top students in the state last week, days before he won a first-place trophy at his first speech tournament.
“I’m extremely proud of his accomplishments. I’m very lucky I teach a subject he has a true passion for,” said his social studies teacher, Michelle Langlie.
Langlie said she was not surprised at all after Maes won the school’s geographic bee. She recalled his performance at last year’s Highland geographic bee.
Although multiple-choice answers are given to the contestants, Maes was often able to supply correct answers before the choices were read aloud, Langlie said.
“(In class), he can share a lot of interesting details — he knows great facts about all different cultures,” Langlie said.
Maes said he is particularly interested in India because “there’s a lot of different cultures, and Europe.”
“I’ve just always really liked it (geography),” Maes said.
Results for whether or not he will compete at the state geographic bee are not yet available.
Maes said he studies other cultures and geography as a hobby, He also joined the speech team this year, hence his recent tournament win. He is also in art club and student council.
His favorite class is French. Maes is the oldest of three and will be a freshman at Libertyville High School in the fall.
“We’re really proud of him and of all his hard work,” his mother, Marianne Maes, said.
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