Eighth-grader Daniel Groves wins Geographic Bee

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Daniel Groves, an eighth-grade student at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on Jan. 10 and a chance at a $50,000 college scholarship. Classmate Karly Noetzel placed second at the school-level bee, where students answered oral questions on geography.

Daniel Groves, an eighth-grade student at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on Jan. 10 and a chance at a $50,000 college scholarship. Classmate Karly Noetzel placed second at the school-level bee, where students answered oral questions on geography.

This was the first round in the 26th annual National Geographic Bee. The kickoff for this year’s bee was the week of Nov. 11, with thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participating. The school winners, including Groves, 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 national championship rounds 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, courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic.

Award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien will moderate the national finals on May 21. The program will air on television; please check local listings for dates and times.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888, the Society’s mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines.

National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.