East Kingston Schools:

Sixth-grader wins Sacred Heart geography bee

Sixth-grader wins Sacred Heart geography bee

January 22, 2010 2:00 AM

Sacred Heart School sixth-grader Luke O'Keefe won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee, along with a chance at winning a $25,000 college scholarship if he advances to the national championship.

Sixth-grader Brandon Ryzewic was runner-up in the competition.

In the final round of the school competition both students had to answer three questions. Each incorrectly answered the first question and answered the second question correctly.

Luke won the tie-breaker by knowing that Nepal was the correct answer to the question, "Which small country is home to the world's eight largest mountains?"

The school-level Bee was the first round in the 22nd annual National Geographic Bee. As the school winner, Luke will next take a written test. If he is among the 100 top scorers in New Hampshire, he will be eligible to compete in the state Bee in Keene on April 9.

The National Geographic Bee, an educational program of the National Geographic Society, is a nationwide geography competition for U.S. schools for grades 4 through 8. It is designed to encourage the teaching and study of geography.

Thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participate in the Bee each year.

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 national championship on May 25 and 26.

The first-place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society.