Academy sixth-grader wins geography bee

Isabella Gierlinger, a sixth grade student at The Grosse Pointe Academy, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. Sixth grader Alexander Minanov was the runner-up. The school-level bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 22nd annual National Geographic Bee. The bee is sponsored by the National Geographic Society.

Thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participate each year in the National Geographic Bee. Academy Middle School students qualified for the bee by taking a written test. In addition to Isabella and Alexander, the following students competed in the final round on December 18 by answering oral questions: eighth graders Karstan Minanov, Allison Mobley and Sheridan Reilly; seventh graders Nikolas Minanov, Jack Weaver and Sam Williams; and sixth graders Leonie Leslie and Jack Sheeren. Isabella and Alexander went on to the championship round.

The school winners, including Isabella, will take another written test; up to 100 of the top scorers in each state will be eligible to compete in their state bee in on April 9, 2010.

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 Geographic Bee national championship rounds on May 25 and 26, 2010. The first-place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the society, and a trip to the Galapagos Islands, courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic.
 

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