AAA Encourages Teens' Geography, Travel Knowledge With Contest

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 1, 2005 -- If you are driving due west from Dodge City, which state will you first come to? In what state is the world-famous Waimea Canyon? What is the Loire Valley famous for? High school students across the United States soon will tackle questions about fjords, freeways, French-speaking islands and more, as the fourth annual AAA Travel High School Challenge returns to identify America's most travel-savvy teen. The scholarship contest, which drew nearly 64,000 registrants last year, again offers more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes.

"After awarding nearly half a million dollars in scholarships and increasing participation eight-fold since 2003, we're adding a new individual round to the national finals competition this year," said Dawn Duffy, AAA spokesperson. "The students and audience members told us that they love the team-driven finals - which will remain - but that they also want a chance to see who is truly the best of the best. The AAA Travel Challenge's primary focus remains the same though: trying to spark students' interest in travel and the world around them, as well as get them to consider careers in the travel industry."

The three-stage competition kicks off with a 40-question online contest that runs from January 9-17, 2006. The top five scorers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia will compete in state finals, with winners receiving prizes and an expense-paid trip for two to compete in the national finals at Universal Orlando in May 2006. The national online contest is open to all U.S. students in grades 9-12 (public, private or home-schooled).

Students can pre-register now, take a sample quiz and find the contest rules at http://www.aaa.com/TravelChallenge .

"Americans are far less likely to have passports than their global peers, and our teens trail their international counterparts for geographic literacy," added Duffy. "Through the AAA Travel High School Challenge, we can open students' eyes to the breadth of travel destinations and experiences in the U.S. and beyond, which we hope will get them excited about traveling and being more knowledgeable global citizens."

Corporate sponsors for the contest are Marriott, Continental Airlines, Universal Orlando, Pleasant Holidays, Holland America Line, MBNA America and Hard Rock Live.

AAA ( http://www.aaa.com/ ) offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than 45 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA Minnesota/Iowa is part of The Auto Club Group, with 4.1 million members in eight Midwest states. AAA Minneapolis serves more than 175,000 members in Hennepin County.