By Dan Cosgrove
Geography Bee Coordinator
Laura Webb, a 5th grade student at Calhoun Middle School, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on January 15 and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 22nd annual National Geographic Bee.
It was an exciting two days of competition, with close to 40 students competing.
The competition began with a preliminary round, which after 252 questions narrowed the field to 10 finalists. These top ten finalists fought through another 100 questions trying to make it to the championship round where two students went head-to-head.
Seventh grade student William Baker and 5th grade student Laura Webb made it to the championship round. Every question in the round, including the tie breaking questions, were exhausted with no clear winner. In accordance with contest rules, the winner was decided based on the preliminary round results, with Laura being declared the winner.
As the winner, Laura has already taken a written test which was forwarded to the National Geographic Headquarters. Up to 100 of the top scorers in the state will be eligible to compete in the West Virginia State Bee on April 9, 2010.
The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state champions to participate in the Bee national championship rounds on May 25 and May 26. The first-place national championship winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the Society, and a trip to the Galapagos Islands.
Congratulations to Laura, William, Kenneth Wolf (3rd place winner) and all students who participated in the Bee.
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