DeWitt Fifth Grader Wins Geography Bee

Asa Bebber, a fifth grade student at DeWitt Elementary won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on January 8, 2012 and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 25th annual National Geographic Bee.  This year’s Bee is sponsored by Google.

The kickoff for this year’s Bee was the week of November 12, with thousands of schools around the United States and in the fiver U.S. territories participating. The school winners, including Asa Bebber, 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 April 5, 2013.

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 Bee national championship rounds May 20-22, 2013. 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.

“Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek will moderate the national finals on May 22. The program will air on television. Check local listings for dates and times.

The DeWitt Geography Team was organized by fourth grade teacher Sarah Suboticki and fifth grade teacher Heidi Short. 

(Story provided by Principal Jen Hartman, 330-926-3802)