Eighth-grader Nic Sleeper of Caribou Middle School recently won first place in the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on January 8 and a chance at a $50,000 college scholarship. The test was moderated by Stephanie Bresett and judged by John Habeeb and Cathy Bouchard. The school-level competition, during which students answer oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 26th annual National Geographic Bee. This year’s Bee is sponsored by Google. The kickoff for the event was during the weeks of Nov. 11 to Dec. 19, with thousands of schools around the U.S. participating. The school winners, including Sleeper, will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers on that test in each state will then be eligible to compete in their state Bee on April 4.
The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state champions and teacher/escorts to participate in the Bee’s national championship rounds, slated for May 19-21. The first-place national winner will receive a $50,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the Society and a trip to the Galapagos Islands.
Award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien will moderate the national finals on May 21. The program will be broadcast on television.
