The 30th annual State Finals of the National Geographic Bee were held on April 6, 2018, at Longwood University in Farmville. State Coordinator was once again Donna Fontaine, who finished out her tenure as state-wide coordinator with another well organized Bee. Dr. Don Zeigler, Professor Emeritus of Geography, ODU.
Donna Fontaine Don Zeigler
This year 105 students participated: six fourth graders,19 fifth graders, 27 sixth graders, 22 seventh graders, and 31 eighth graders. Eleven girls and 94 boys comprised the contestants.
As always there were 8 preliminary rounds, which resulted in 18 students with perfect scores. This number was reduced to 10 in a tiebreaker session. Those ten then competed in the final round to determine first, second, and third places.
The finalists were:
- Nicholas Ashman, Cape Henry Collegiate, Virginia Beach
- Aleesha Khurram, Trailside Middle School, Ashburn
- Nathan Dunaway, Redeemer Classical School, Harrisonburg (#2)
- Allan Wang, Navy Elementary School, Fairfax
- Caleb Hines, Ashburn Homeschoolers, Ashburn (#1)
- Franklin Heyming, St. Bridget School, Richmond (#3)
- Anish Susaria, Belmont Ridge Middle School, Leesburg
- Tim Johanson, Longfellow Middle School, Falls Church
- Visethreach Sothy, Fairfax Christian School, Vienna
- Cedric Le Floch, Kent Gardens Elementary School, McLean
Left to right: Nathan Dunaway (2nd place), Caleb Hines (winner of state Bee), Franklin Heyming (3rd place).
Congratulations Caleb and good luck at the nationals!
Congratulations and thanks to all students who participated in the Geographic Bee across the Commonwealth and at the State Finals.
