In a very close Championship Round, Nikhil Skandan '26 (pictured top left) was able to secure first place as the 2019 MA Middle School GeoBee winner.
An annual tradition for the last 32 years, the National Geographic Society inspires and supports students curiosity about the world and geography. GeoBees are held annually across the United States for American students in fourth through eighth grades from October through January. Thousands of schools are competing across the United States and the five U.S. territories. Also competing are Department of Defense Dependents Schools around the world.
The MA Middle School GeoBee began in early-October with a record 56 students competing in 7 preliminary rounds. This year, preliminary tiebreakers were necessary for both the 6th and 8th grade students. The nine finalists, three from each middle school grade, competed in the finals rounds yesterday. The top three finalists, Nikhil, Aveer Chadha '26 (pictured top center), and Luke Pokojni '24 (pictured top right), then moved right on into the Champion Round. This year's finalists were:
6th Grade - Aveer Chadha '26, Nathaniel Schmidt '26, and Nikhil Skandan '26
7th Grade - Jolie Eyvazzedeh '25, Xavier Zumba '25, and Luke Stubblefield '25
8th Grade - Luke Pokojni '24, Alizeh Ali '24, and Zander Ritchey '24
Nikhil will advance to the next level of competition which is to take the qualifying test to determine state competitors. Up to 100 of the top test scorers in each state become eligible to compete in their State GeoBee. Pennsylvania's State GeoBee will be on Friday, March 27, 2020. The designated state champions then attend the national championship at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. spring 2020.