Caleb Johnson spun a globe in the McLaurin Elementary school library until his small finger found the bootlike country of Italy.

&uot;There’s Rome and there’s Naples, so Pompeii should be about right there,&uot; he said.

Johnson, 11, has always had an interest in far-away places, but that fascination was multiplied when he recently took first place in the school geography bee.

&uot;Now, since I found out what I can do with social studies, I like it better,&uot; he said. &uot;Now maybe I can win the Mississippi-wide geography bee.&uot;

With the school win came a medal and a chance to compete in the state contest by way of a printed test Johnson has already completed and is anxiously awaiting the results. &uot;I hope I made it,&uot; he said, adding the state test was more difficult than the school bee. So challenging, he can’t remember a single question.

But he does remember the question that won him the school bee: in which state can you find Ruby Falls, an underground waterfall near Chattanooga? &uot;It was such a simple question because she said Chattanooga,&uot; he said.

A little time in front of the television helped Johnson through another question about what group Joseph Smith led to Salt Lake in Utah. At first he was stumped.

&uot;And then I though about the commercial for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and I said Mormons!&uot;

Also contributing to Johnson’s broad base of geography trivia and a love of learning is the Natchez-Adams School District S.O.A.R. program, a curriculum designed to challenge talented and gifted students. &uot;S.O.A.R. is great,&uot; he said. &uot;I just wish we could have a magnet school in Natchez.&uot;

Though Johnson is quick to answer questions about the program, uncovering his motivation to achieve requires a little more thought.

&uot;I just want to be a good – to be the best I can be,&uot; he said finally.

As for the future, Johnson said he wants to become a computer programmer. But right now, he’s focused on a drama presentation about Pompeii he has written and will produce for a class project.

With the exception of Pompeii (Mount Vesuvius makes him a little nervous), Italy is a place Johnson said he hopes to visit one day.

&uot;I heard pizza originated in Italy, so I thought they might have better pizza than Pizza Hut, but I don’t think they can,&uot; he said, smiling.

Johnson is the son of Jacqueline and Caleb Johnson Jr. of Sibley.