Thursday, January 18, 2007 Older Editions

What's the buzz? Geography bees produce more school winners

By April Guilmet

A handful of Andover's most globe-savvy students are one step closer to Washington, D.C. - and a $25,000 college scholarship.

Last week, Andover's three middle schools held their annual Geographic Bees. Sponsored by the National Geographic Society, the contest is held at school, state and national levels, with state champions earning an all-expense paid trip to Washington for the national competition.

Jackson Rich, an eighth-grader, won Doherty Middle School's contest. The first runner-up was David Van Schalkwik, also an eighth-grader.

Wood Hill Middle School students Carl Surrow, grade seven, and Stan Huang, grade six, were tied for first runner-up, with eighth-grader Sri Jon Bhunia declared the winner.

As reported in last week's paper, seventh-grader John Scarborough won it at West Middle School, followed by first runner-up Samantha Beati, grade six.

The results of a written test given last week will decide who will be eligible to compete in the state bee, which is scheduled for March 30.

Sri Jon was involved in the state bee last year, said Brian Carey, a social studies teacher at Wood Hill Middle. Results for this year's statewide qualification exams aren't expected until late next month.