SPRINGDALE -- An eighth-grade pre-advanced placement English class had just finished a quiz Friday at Southwest Junior High School when U.S. Rep. Steve Womack walked in the door to surprise Sojas Wagle, 13.
The Republican from Arkansas went to congratulate Sojas for finishing third this month in the National Geographic Bee, a competition for fourth- through eighth-graders organized by the National Geographic Society. His third-place effort came with a $10,000 scholarship.
"This young man represented all of you in Washington, D.C.," Womack told Sojas' class. "He kicked some tail."
Womack gave Sojas a letter of congratulations, a congressional medallion and a coin made to look like a smaller version of the medallion. The medallion, designed for Womack's office, includes images of a seal for the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. flag, the Arkansas flag and two phrases describing the congressman's leadership philosophy -- "Lead by example" and "Lead from the front."
The week of the competition, Womack told the class about a text message he received, "Mr. Congressman, are you aware there is a young man from Southwest Junior High School that has just won third place in the nation in the National Geographic Bee?"
Womack asked his staff to contact Sojas and his family to arrange a tour during their trip, but their schedules conflicted.
But the visit at school was nice, Sojas said.
"I'm proud my hard work has paid off," he said.
Sojas is the fourth student from Arkansas to advance to the finals of the National Geographic Bee. No Arkansan has won the bee since it began in 1989, according to the National Geographic Society.
Eighth-grader Diana Campos said she likes to take pictures of Sojas for reference should he become famous.
"Someone important notices us," she said. "Usually Arkansas is not really important."
The staff is ecstatic for Sojas' achievements, Principal Shannon Tisher said.
"I just can't wait to see what he does with his life," she said.
Sojas began competing in sixth grade when he was at Helen Tyson Middle School. That year, he finished second in the state geography bee. He was disappointed after finishing 11th last year, but rebounded with winning the state bee and advancing to the top three in the national bee.
Sojas said he spent more time this year studying details, including the states and provinces of each country.
His studies in geography have led him to learn about different cultures, particularly Asian cultures. He learned that Papua New Guinea's residents speak 700 languages.
"I'm just thinking how do they communicate with so many languages?" he said.
Sojas' parents, Dr. Sameer Wagle and Aparna Wagle, and his brother, Saurabh, a May graduate of Har-Ber High School, joined in the surprise Friday.
His mother said Sojas' preparation included poring over maps in his study room. His teachers in middle school and junior high school inspired him, she said.
Saurabh Wagle said his brother knew his geography.
"He had that passion and had a plan," Wagle said.
NW News on 05/30/2015