Holland Student is State Champion in AAA Travel High School Challenge

DEARBORN, Mich., April 11 -- A 12th grade student from Holland High School in Holland matched his travel geography wits against nearly 3,000 students from across Michigan to take home the state title in the AAA Travel High School Challenge.

This May, Mark Japinga will travel to Orlando to compete in the national finals for a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. The AAA Travel High School Challenge aims to increase teens' travel knowledge and geographic literacy while creating awareness of career opportunities in the travel and tourism industries. The contest challenges students' knowledge of U.S. and world geography, with an emphasis on travel and tourism destinations.

Japinga won the state contest by first placing among the top five scorers in the state in the online first round of the contest. Then Japinga scored the highest on a 40-question written, proctored exam taken by the five state finalists. Nationwide, more than 63,000 students in grades 9-12 participated in the contest.

"Mark truly has an extensive knowledge of travel and geographic literacy," said Cathy Green, Vice President of Sales and Service for The Auto Club Group (ACG). "He will compete with the some of the country's sharpest students during the national competition in Orlando."

"With the latest rebound in the travel industry, it's great to see so many students excelling in their travel and geographic knowledge," added Green. "These skills make Travel Challenge participants the perfect candidates for future careers in the travel industry."

The finals will be held May 7-10 at Universal Orlando and will begin with a written elimination exam, followed by a series of round-robin, game show- style playoffs. The top two teams of three will then compete in a final contest, with winning team members each receiving $25,000 scholarships and runners-up receiving $10,000 each.

The AAA Travel High School Challenge, designed by AAA Travel and travel industry educator Dr. Marc Mancini, will award more than $100,000 total in scholarships. Sponsors include: Continental Airlines, Holland America Line, Marriott, MBNA America, Pleasant Holidays, Hard Rock Live, and Universal Orlando.