Eighth-grader Zachary Kozlowski was named school champion Jan. 13 in the final round of the Templeton Middle School National Geographic Bee. Kozlowski edged out seven other student finalists who made successful showing at Templeton’s Jan. 8 semi-final round. In addition to Kozlowski, finalists from the preliminary rounds competing for the top spot were Michael Bernarde, Emmanuel Eliades, Daniel Fourness, John Liedtke, Christian Macleod, Alyssa Olson and John Pucillo. Olson took second place and Bernarde took third place.
All Templeton students participated in the preliminary round of the 16th Annual National Geographic Bee by taking a 25-question written test. The highest-scoring students advanced to the semi-final round. As a school winner, Kozlowski will take a written test to determine the top 100 students who will advance April 2 to the State Geography Bee.
The National Geographic Society provides an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state champions and teacher-escorts to participate in the April National Geographic Bee National Championship. The first-place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership in the Society.
The National Geographic Society is the world’s largest nonprofit, scientific and educational organization. The 116-year-old Society reflects the world through magazines, books, maps, television and interactive media. National Geographic magazine is the official journal of the Society. The Society has funded more than 7,000 scientific research projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy.