Local student to compete in National History Bee

GRUNDY CENTER – Ever since he was young, Joe Janssen of Wellsburg has been a history aficionado.
“Growing up, history was a big deal for Joe,” said Susan Janssen, Joe’s mother. “When he was young, I tried to make sure that everywhere we traveled, there was some history there to show him.”
And now, as a freshman in high school at GCHS, he has a resume that’s impressive to even the most learned historian.
At the ripe age of fourteen, Janssen has met several former presidents – including George W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton – and he has visited historical sites around the nation – from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.
What’s more is that for the last three years, Joe has competed in the National History Bee and Bowl challenge.
It started when Joe was in 7th grade. He entered the National History Bee, where he beat out the competition first at the regional level, then at the state level, then at the national level, until he reached the International History Olympiad – which was held in Washington D.C. that year.
During the competition, he competed on the American Team, against teams from 14 other countries around the globe. Joe and his teammates took the bronze medal and won third place at the competition.
The next year, as an eighth grader, Joe worked his way up again, and qualified for the International competition once more. But, due to other circumstances, Joe didn’t enter the International competition in 2016.
This year, as a freshman in high school, Joe is back in the running for the International Olympiad.
For the full story, see the February 9 edition of The Grundy Register.