First name: Emma
Age: 10
State or province: Colorado
Country: USA

Dear Seyi,

That is so cool to win something that big! I bet you feel great, do you?

I kind of like geography, but I get confused a lot. Geometry's more my thing. I love math, and I am good at it. At my school, I am in an advanced math class.

Do you have any other intrests and/or hobbies? If so, what are they, and when do you do them? And are you going to keep up on geography bees and other geography quizes? And I was wondering, where do you fit in time aside from school work? I only get homework once a week, and I'm swamped!

Please write back, and maybe we could be penpals! Bye!

Sincerely, your friend,

Emma

Hi Emma,

This is Seyi Fayanju. It does feel great to win the National Geography Bee. Besides geography, I like to read, watch TV, ride my bike, play video games, lounge around on summer afternoons, hang out with friends, and learn new things all throughout the year. I like geometry, but I prefer algebra and trigonometry. Like you, I am in a high math class. My teacher is Mrs. Squires. She's pretty cool.

This summer, I will hopefully be competing in the International Geography Olympiad, but I couldn't participate in the National Bee this year. (Next year I won't be allowed to because I'll be in high school.)

Concerning schoolwork, the best thing to do is to plan your time wisely. You can have time to have fun, but leave lots of time for important things. Time only flies when your having fun and your parents are ripping their hair out because your room is a pigsty.

It would be great to be penpals. Write back soon. See you!

First name: Anna Marie
Age: turning 16
State or province: Manila
Country: Philippines

A big congratulations to you, Seyi. It's so great to see a youth succeeded one more time. To tell you honestly, I am also fond of reading books about geography and the world. I believe that we both and other young people out there are having fun in knowing all this kind of stuff. I hope that being a Geobee champ won't change the way of good life you have. Give back all these successes and triumphs to the one Who started it all, alright? GODSPEED.

Dear Anna Marie,

Thank you for the warm message. Also, it is good that you are also interested in geography, because many girls find it "boring" in the United States. I hope this perception changes as time goes by.

Happy Birthday sweet six-te-en! Good luck in everything. Take care.

First name: Vanessa
Age: 9
State or province: Michigan
Country: USA

How old are you? I am 9 and would like to win the National Geography Bee!

I am thirteen years old. It is good to have goals, Vanessa. Are you interested in geography? Can you study hard? Can you be calm in a competition? If you can say yes to these questions, then you will do fine.

Good luck in everything!

First name: Leonid
Age: 23
State or province: Moscow
Country: Russia

Do you know about Russian geography so much as you sure know about U.S.?

I try. I know many things about the world's largest country and its history. It seems like a very beautiful and interesting place.

Bye, Leonid.

First name: Dylan
Age: 9
State or province: Vermont
Country: USA

Guess what? I live in the whaling capital of Vermont! My name is Dylan. I'm 9, soon turning 10 July 25th. I live in Charlotte, Vermont. I have two cats and one dog. My cats' names are Minpin and Pike. My dog's name is Nana. Sorry but I have to brush my teeth and go to bed now. Bye.

Dylan, how do you have whales in a state that doesn't border the ocean!? (Lake Champlain is big, but it doesn't count.) Anyway, an early happy birthday to you. I live in New Jersey, but I have never seen a whale.

It's always good to brush and go to bed early. Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy,wealthy,and wise. I wish I followed this proverb more closely.

Bye for now.

First name: Ellie
Age: 16 months
State or province: Illinois
Country: USA

Cool! I think it's awesome that you know all this stuff about the world.You must have an incredible mind for detail.

I'm curious -- what do you want to be when you grow up? Also, on your trip around the United States, what did you enjoy the most?

Hey Ellie! I want to be a doctor when I am an adult. On my trip through the Northeast, I thought Boston was a great city.

So I guess you're at the big 1.5. Enjoy infancy while it lasts! Good luck to you!

Bye-bye.

First name: Nathan
Age: 14
State or province: Wisconsin
Country: USA

Hey, congrats, was it tough, how many did u get wrong, what grade r u in?

Hello Nathan! The competition was tough, but I didn't get any wrong at the National or State level. I am currently in eighth grade. R u?

C u.

First name: Fraga
Age: 27
State or province: Recife - Pernambuco
Country: Brazil

Ola Seyi, my name is Alcimar Fraga and I would like to keep in touch with you. Excuse me for not speaking English very well, but I try to write some words.

Please, answer me, and I will write back for you.

Ola Senhor Fraga. This is Seyi Fayanju. I can't find the character map on this computer, so pardon the lack of the accent and cedilla. How is life in Recife, Brazil? I live near cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, which is pretty cool. Have you ever visited Rio or Sao Paulo? Write back soon.

Bye.

First name: Lawrence Berk
Age: 61
State or province: California
Country: USA

Dear Seyi,

Congratulations and thank you for making geography important for students all over the world. I work as an instructional assistant in an elementary school in California and it continuously amazes and shocks me that the students know so little geography. Some of them don't even know the location of their own city and state!

I wish you every success in whatever you strive to achieve.

Dear Mr. Berk,

Hopefully as time goes by, more and more students will develop an interest in geography. I think it's good to start teaching children about geography, and I applaud the efforts of you and other teachers. The mind of a child is like a room. Rather than filling it with all kinds of inane junk from television, it should be opened to let in reading, mathematics, creativity, geography, etc.

The National Geography Bee shows that there is a renewed interest in geography among American students. I hope it continues.

First name: Megan
Age: 13
State or province: South Dakota
Country: USA

I am on my way to my first National Geography Bee. Do you have any tips? Is it as much fun as it looks?

Dear Megan,

It's challenging, but it is also lots of fun. Look over materials and remember as much as you can. Also,try to be calm!

The hotel is very nice, and so are the people at NGS (National Geographic Society). I wish you good luck, and I hope you have a great time.

See ya!

First name: Kathleen
Age: 8
State or province: San Juan
Country: Puerto Rico

My brother is in the Geography Bee this year. I am really excited! I need advice for him. He is really nervous.

Dear Kathleen,

Tell your brother to try to be calm and remember as much as he can. Also tell him to give it all he's got, and study hard. Even if he doesn't win, he can be contented that he learned something new.

Don't think you can can sit in front of the TV while he's studying! You can learn new things along with him. Besides, the Geography Bee starts in fourth grade, which is just around the corner. Geography is a fascinating subject. Explore it!

Buena suerte a tu y tu hermano.

Adios!

First name: Craig
Age: 11
State or province: Maryland
Country: USA

Hey Seyi, I am one of your biggest fans. I think that you kicked butt at the bee and that you did something awesome. Look for me in next year's bee. I am already studying up and my cousin was also in the bee. Since he lives 2,000 miles away, I was wondering if you could please give me some tips on the bee. I saw on the Rosie O'Donnell show this year. Please Email me back. I would really appreciate it.

Hey Craig! This is Seyi. I'm glad you're interested in geography as well (that makes two of us!). The Geography Bee is a great experience. While competing, try to remember as much as you can. And remember, winning isn't everything. Even if you don't succeed in winning the National Geography Bee, if you achieve your personal goal, then you are still a winner.