If there is anything that can stir up a middle school, it’s the annual National Geographic Geography Bee. Recently, the halls of St. Luke’s Middle School buzzed with excitement leading up to the final round of its annual Geography Bee, a competition aimed at sending a representative to the National Geographic national competition. Ten finalists made it to this final round by correctly answering the challenging questions posed within their National Geographic classroom bee.
The National Geographic Bee, an educational program of the National Geographic Society, is a nationwide geography competition for U.S. schools with any grades four through eight, designed to encourage the teaching and study of geography.
St. Luke’s ten finalists took turns answering questions testing their geographic knowledge. Each was allowed one wrong answer, but contestants were eliminated with a second incorrect response. After several rounds of elimination, two students faced off in the final challenge round. First place went to 8th grader Jason Schwartz, while seventh grader Ajit Akole finished valiantly in second place. All of this year’s finalists deserve a hearty congratulation:
8th grade: Ross Kennedy, Jason Schwartz, and Ned Mylod.7th grade: Ajit Akole, Tucker Menzies6th grade: Jack Maguire, Luke Crowley5th grade: Jeffery Ricciardelli, Brody Menzies, and Peter Gutstein.
As St. Luke’s winner, Jason Schwartz took a written geography test to determine if he qualifies to advance to the Connecticut State Geography Bee competition. Results will arrive in a couple of weeks. To see photos of this year's competition visit the SLS Media Gallery.
