HUGHESTOWN — Caroline Hintze and Kyle Breymeirer, both Pittston Area Middle School students, have traveled all over the world … sort of.
The eighth-grade students, Hintze, of Hughestown, and Breymeirer, of Pittston, may have not physically been around the world, but have visited many places through their studies.
Both students have excelled in history and geography, enough to score well in local and regional competitions to advance to the national level.
An avid reader, Hintze has competed in History Bees since sixth grade when she finished in second place locally, propelling her to regionals in Philadelphia.
At regionals, she positioned herself to to nationals but could not compete due to the death of her mother Kimberly Ann Hintze, who was a big influence in her daughter’s education.
“My mom wanted me to do good in school and I liked history,” Caroline said. “And my grandpa (Bill Hintze passed away eight days before Caroline’s mother in 2017), was really into the Civil War and all kinds of books stored under his TV.”
In seventh grade, Caroline made it through to nationals again, this time being able to compete in Georgia.
This year, she, along with Breymeirer, will head to nationals this summer to compete in Chicago, Illinois.
Caroline would like to study Marine Biology or Archeology in college, specialize in American History and Ancient Civilization.
“I would like go to Harvard or something on the coast,” Caroline said. “Somewhere by water.”
She currently resides with her uncle and aunt, Scott and Alicia Hintze, takes an advanced math class at the high school daily during first period before being transported to the middle school for the remainder of her school day.
Kyle Breymeirer, son of Allan and Chasity Breymeirer, of Jenkins Twp., has always had an interest in history.
“My grandfather (Robert Breymeirer) fought in Vietnam and my great-grandfather (Robert Breymeirer, I) fought in World War II, so I’ve always been interested in seeing what went on in both wars,” Kyle said.
Breymeirer’s interest in history peaked when his grandfather told him stories about Vietnam and the world.
His interests are American History, in particular, the wars from WW1 to current.
Breymeirer, who enjoys football and baseball, would like to attend college at Penn State University or West Point.
“At a young age, it’s very impressive what they (Hintze and Breymeirer) did because, since the push of standardize testing in elementary school, there’s not a very strong focus on history or Social Studies at all for that matter,” said Kelli Pavalonis, Pittston Area’s seventh and eighth-grade Social Studies teacher and a History Bee moderator. “That seventh grade year really doesn’t prepare them too much for the History Bee.”
Pavalonis said the school district pays for the students’ entry fees but they are on their own going to nationals.
“Both children are fortunate that their family can help them get to nationals,” she said.
