Geography Bee 2001

For the 14th year, the National Geographic Society held a Geographic Bee for students in grades 4th-8th. The competition involves a qualifying round in each classroom and then one winner from each class participates in the school-wide Bee. This year the classroom winners were; Michael Stegeman, Nick Feller, Greg Larson, Hugh McDermott, Megan Clasen, Molly Bramlet, Shanthi Narla, Tony Schuering, Vincent Perrero, and Brenden Padget. Each finalist participated in a double elimination Bee held on Friday, January 11th. The questions were tough and so was the competition. The final two competitors were Hugh McDermott and Michael Stegeman. The question that clinched the victory for Michael Stegeman was - In the summer of 2001, Arequipa, a city founded during Spanish colonial times,was hit by a devastating earthquake. Arequipa is the second- largest city in what country?

Michael will advance to to next level and that involves a written examination. All school winners are eligible to win the national championship, with first prize being a $25,000 college scholarship, at the national competition