Thank you for taking the time to read our GoFundMe story.

Michael has been passionate about geography since the age of 4. He has dedicated many hours per day over the years to learning about all thing’s geography. When the opportunity to test his skills and knowledge came about, we all jumped on board. Since starting his journey in early 2023, Michael has qualified, and competed his way to the National level in Washington DC/Arlington, VA in June of 2023. So far, this academic year 23-24, Michael has achieved the following:

1- Online Qualifying Exam: In September 2023 he passed with a score of 90 points vs 70 the previous year.

2- Online Regional Competition (red question set): On November 4th, Michael competed and qualified for Nationals in Orlando of May 2024.

3- Online Regional Competition (white question set): On December 3rd, Michael competed and was an automatic qualifier for Nationals, scored in the top 25% of competitors in his division and qualified for Internationals, AND went to a final championship round where he placed 1st and was the Champion of the 4th Grade and under Division.

The International Geography Championships will be held in Vienna, Austria this July 2024. As this is not a school sponsored event, the costs to compete in Vienna at the International Geography Championships is extremely high. There are registration fees, food/lodging, airfare, etc. The total cost is well over $5k (just for the two of us) but we are hoping to fundraise as much as possible to help offset the costs. Click here to see costs. Can you please join us by donating? Any amount would be greatly appreciated, but with a gift of $100, he would be well on his way.

Excerpt from his teacher:

I have the unique opportunity to work with academically gifted and talented students who have a real passion for learning, a curiosity about the world, and a desire to compete. One of my students, Michael Pantoni, has an intense interest in geography and has been participating in the International Academic Competitions Geography Bees for over a year now. Michael competed in several regional-level competitions and attended the National Geography Bee in Washington, D.C. last June. Recently, Michael participated in and won another regional competition which qualified him for the bi-annual International Geography Bee that will be held this July in Vienna, Austria. - Heather Haupt, DDES

About the competition:

The International Geography Championships is a competition organized by International Academic Competitions which is designed to bring the top geography students from around the world together for an unforgettable week of various geography-themed competitions, sightseeing opportunities, and a chance to meet other students who love studying geography from around the world. The 2024 International Geography Championships will be held from July 13-20, 2023 in Vienna, Austria. Most competitions, as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, will take place at our host school, GRG 23 – Alterlaa, an Austrian public high school in the 23rd District of Vienna.

Please help make Michael's dream come true and help him reach for the stars!!