Since 1988, Lakeside Middle School students have been participating in the National Geography Bee, which can lead to a $25,000 college scholarship for the national winner. Mr. Ed Drouin facilitated this year’s competition. Immediately after Winter Break, a preliminary round was conducted in each grade level’s social science class. In each class, seven rounds of 32 random oral questions were asked. In order for a student to qualify for the semifinals, he/she had to answer at least six of his/her seven questions correctly.

Eight students, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, met in Mr. Drouin’s classroom on Wednesday, January 16th, for the semifinals. There, they answered random oral questions on geography. In this competition, two wrong answers equaled elimination. After several rounds, the field was narrowed to an eighth grader and a seventh grader. For the Championship Round, the students had to write down their answers. After a tough final round, the seventh grader earned the title of Geography Bee Champion for 2008! The seventh graders “really likes geography,” and visits a web site on the subject, “Just for fun. If I have a map, I can name all the countries in the world,” he shared.

Next, he will take a written test. If he places in the top 100 students in the state, he will compete in the State Geography Bee on the coast. “I think it’ll be pretty cool to go,” he admitted. The State Champion will earn an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C to compete in the National Geography Bee and the chance at the $25,000 college scholarship.