Emilie Newman, an eighth-grader and daughter of James and Andrea Newman won the local National Geography Bee from Houlton Junior High School. Daniel Hermann, a sixth-grader won the competition at Southside School. Hermann is the son of Mark and Lisa Hermann.
They have moved one step closer to the state competition to be held in April. Each local winner must now take a written test to qualify for the next round of competition. If Newman and Hermann score in the top 100 they will compete again, hoping to make it to the national level.
Ethan Nickerson, son of Kevin and Heleana Nickerson of Houlton was the runner-up in the competition at the junior high and Sam Astle, son of David Astle and Rosalie Astle was the runner-up in sixth grade.
This is the 21st annual National Geographic Bee, sponsored by the National Geographic Society. This organization will provide an all-expense paid trip for the state winner and a school escort to the competition in Washington, D.C., in May. The first-place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership in the Society. The winner will also travel (along with one parent or guardian), all expenses paid to the Galapagos Islands with “Jeopardy” host Alex Trebek and the “Jeopardy” Clue Crew. Travel for the “Galapagos Adventure with Alex Trebek” is provided by Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic Society.
Judges for the junior high competition were Anne Kreyssig and Betty Frazier with Sandra McGary as timekeeper. Peggy Martin and Michelle Van Tassell judged the Southside competition and Gayle Cyr was the timekeeper for the event.
