Will Cammerzell, a sixth grade student at Kent School, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on January 11 and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. Eighth Grade student, Patrick Keating was the runner-up. The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral questions on several facets of geography, was the first round in the 25th annual National Geographic Bee.
According to the National Geographic Bee web page, “Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography.
Students from fourth through eighth grade participated in the school-level competition. Preliminary rounds were completed in individual grades earlier this month. Qualifiers from each grade went on to compete in the school-level Bee. Finalists were: (4th grade) Brennan O’Connor and Severin Schut, (5th grade) Sarah Bowyer and Payton Lord, (6th grade) Will Cammerzell and Stevie Shumaker, (7th grade) Henry Parkhurst and Cassie Plummer, (8th grade) Patrick Keating and Eli Schut.
The kickoff for this year’s Bee was the week of November 9 with thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participating. The school winners, including Will, will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers in each state will be eligible to compete in their state Bee on April 5, 2013. “The whole school wishes Will the best of luck as he moves to the next level of this competition,” said Michelle Cerino, seventh grade geography teacher and Bee coordinator at Kent School. “We are thrilled our students take the time and energy to prepare for this competition,” Cerino continued.
“These events bring out the best in of our students. I am just as happy to see the support and positive reinforcement from the spectators as I am to see the competitors answer correctly,” said Chris Gorycki, Headmaster. Gorycki continued. “Congratulations to Will and all the Bee participants on a job well done.”
For more information on the National Geographic Bee visit www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee
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Kent School National Geographic Bee Participants Show Their Knowledge