Beech Tree News Network

Autumn Jenkins, an 8th grade student at Butler County Middle School, won the school competition of the National Geographic Bee on December 18 and now has a chance at a $50,000 college scholarship. The school Bee, at which students answered questions on geography, was the first round in the 28th annual National Geographic Bee.  Fellow 8th grade student William Hancock was runner-up.

Students qualified for the school-wide geography Bee by winning classroom rounds.  The following students took part in the Geo Bee: Autumn Jenkins, Dawson Phelps, Emily Tyree, Camryn Newland, Jordan Chambers, James Tomes, William Hancock, Peyton Bratcher, Jarred Carathers, and Josiah Slone. 

Thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories are participating in the 2016 Bee. The school champions, including Autumn Jenkins, will take a qualifying 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 1, 2016.
The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state winners to participate in the Bee national championship rounds May 22-25, 2016. The first place national champion will receive a $50,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the Society including a subscription to National Geographic magazine, and a National Geographic Expeditions trip to a national park in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.
The national finals will air on television on the National Geographic Channel and PBS stations. Check local listings for dates and times.
Everyone can test their geography knowledge with the exciting GeoBee Challenge, an online geography quiz at www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee, which poses 10 new questions a day, or by downloading the “National Geographic GeoBee Challenge” app, with more than 1,000 questions culled from past Bees, available on the App Store for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad; from the Android Market; or for NOOK Color.
National Geographic is a global nonprofit membership organization driven by a passionate belief in the power of science, exploration and storytelling to change the world. We fund hundreds of research and conservation projects around the globe each year. With the support of our members and donors, we work to inspire, illuminate and teach through scientific expeditions, award-winning journalism, education initiatives and more. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com and find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.