The Virginia Finals of the National Geographic Bee were held on April 1 at Longwood University. One hundred and two 4th-8th graders, winners of their school bees, competed in the Preliminary Rounds to select ten finalists. Among the participants were 4 fourth graders, 14 fifth graders, 18 sixth graders, 25 seventh graders, and 41 eighth graders. The VGA congratulates all for their victories and strong performances at the state Bee.
Donna Fontaine, Smithfield Public Schools, was once again the State Bee Coordinator. Dr. Bill Carstensen, Virginia Tech Department of Geography, was moderator for the Final Rounds.
The ten finalists were:
- Declan Andrada, Laruel Ridge Elementary School
- Joe Cooper, Spratley Gifted Center, Hampton
- Austin Copeland, Potowmack Elementary School, Sterling
- Prithvi Nathan, Gainesville Middle School, Gainesville
- Daron Ohannessian, Lake Braddock Secondary School, Burke
- Devan Opper, Taylor Elementary School, Arlington
- Smaran Pasupulati, Cardinal Ridge Elementary School, Centreville
- Vishvesha Sridhar, Blacksburg Middle School, Blacksburg
- Anish Susaria, Ball’s Bluff Elementary School, Leesburg
- Connor Webb, Collegiate School, Richmond
Their exceptional performances certainly warrant praise.
Donna Fontaine congratulates Vishvesha Sridhar, winner of the State Bee. Next to her is
Austin Copeland, third place finisher, and at center is Prithvi Nathan, Second place winner.
- Vishvesha Sridhar
The winner of the 2016 Virginia Geographic Bee was Vishvesha Sridhar, Blacksburg Middle School, Blacksburg. He will represent Virginia at the National Geographic Bee in Washington, D.C., May 22-25.
The winning question was: Santa Maria Island, where Portuguese settlers planted grapes as far back as 1430, is part of what island group?*
Second place winner was Prithvi Nathan, Gainesville Middle School, Gainesville. Placing third was Austin Copeland, Potowmack Elementary School, Sterling.
Congratulations to all three, and especially Vishvesha.
Good luck in Washington!
* Azores
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Volunteers, mostly members of the Virginia Geographic Alliance, facilitated the smooth running of the Bee. Some scenes from the Bee:
Top, l to r: Penny Anderson directs parents to parking lot; Denise Lam and others man the registration desk; Annie Evans talks with teachers and the press.
Bottom, l ro t: A students has a photo shoot with the National Geographic logo; Ed Kinman welcomes parents and participants to Longwood University and the National Geographic Bee.
